I first read about semilla besada in a Barbara Kingsolver novel. [For those who haven't read her, do.... she is an amazing writer]. In some gardens one can see a tree that abound with fruit while around it are trees that remain indifferent to the season, all the nurturing and the gardener's plea. It is as though only this tree has found some secret fountain of vigour for its roots to draw from. The Spanish have a name for it. Semilla Besada - the seed that got kissed.
I suppose there is a lesson here as well. For every dozen memories that drag us down and crush our spirits, there is one semilla besada. A memory that will feed, sustain and leave an indelible smile on our souls....Like a burgeoning tamarind tree on a highway, a dusty and stunted frangipani that stands laden with gigantic blossoms, a potted plant on the windowsill of a grim block of flats, it's there if we seek it.
We just need to look for it within us.
This is truly a lesson in remembering.
ReplyDeletekalyan
I really believe there are multiple semilla besada's among our memories. Discovering them should not be difficult.
ReplyDeleteur words are as sage as usual! i have always found you : pensive at the same time. not shy to hide ur thoughts. animated(like some of your characters) yet discreet! and ofcourse ur brilliance shines through ur words of wisdom in this blog!
ReplyDeleteu r akhilandeshwari, sadia, radha, her uncle and shyam, the better woman and the magical mysterious mythical woman
ur verbal portraits are par excellance, with colors of exuberance, and you remain kayalvizhi, my pal, anita nair.