NEW SUNRISE

 Sarva Daksha was a leader of the people in a city called Gangadevinagar. Every time the people elected him their leader. He knew all the strategies for winning the election. He was unrivalled in the domain of politics. He, therefore, posed superior to other leaders.

During elctions, the people were offered notes for the pocket and drinks for their intoxication. They voted for Sarva Daksha without realizing their rights in democratic nation. They sloganeered tearing their throats,

            “Sarva Daksha is our leader…our beloved leader…

“He is the God-sent leader in the welfare of all of us…

“He is the friend of not only the poor but also the rich…

“Every election season is a fest…a grand fest once in five years…

“He is the host, and we are his guests during the fest…

 “He offers scintillating notes and mouth-watering food items with intoxicating drinks…Indeed, enjoyable amd memorable… 

 

“All freebies for all of us…Who offers freebies andschemes? It is only the leaders like Sarva Daksha.”

  

The people of Gangadevinagar in course of time realized Sarva Daksha’s faults during the election every time. They never understood the vote bank politics then.  He offered the people currency notes, filling their pockets and bottles for their dozing in intoxication to win the election. There were mass attraction schemes for temporary benefits. He and his like never thought of long-term goals like the establishing of industries, factories and projects as the people were happy with the short-term goals and freebies. He was ever a winner in the election. He underrated all other leaders, as their winning the election was not certain. His election every time created a hat-trick in the history of elections in the city. 

    Under the lifelong leadership of Sarva Daksha, the people blindly believed that he was a great leader. Time in its incessant flow taught them the bitter facts. When they realized that they did not reach their goals like employment to stand on their own feet. There were corruption and inflation beyond limits. They realised his faults as a leader. They did not learn the fact that they were facing many problems under his leadership. 

The people from all the streets of Gangdevinagar assembled and resolved for the inevitable revolution on their part. They discussed it in many ways in quest of a new sunrise:

    Sarva Daksha has made us fools all these years... We are blind to what he has been doing for many years... How long should we be fools...? How long should we become victims to him...?

            Let’s be sworn in to be loyal to the soil.

            So far, we ‘ve lived in darkness, let’s see light, a new sunrise in our lives 

    Let's wake up to the realities...the hard realities...the naked truths...

    Let's realize our responsibilities towards duties as humans, frring us from provovocations and false imitations...

    Let's not welcome his election the next time...when he is a leader of evils and crimes, scams, and violence...

    What we need is that we should unite to fight against injustice...

    When faults or pitfalls are there in the leader, it is the faults or pitfalls of the people... We as the people are responsible for all those defects...

    In the democratic set up, our leader is as per our qualities... We aren't like the leaders... Leaders are like us as they are elected by us... 'yadha praja thadha raaja'. We elect our leader as per our principles and aims at the welfare of the people.  It's against yadha raaja, thadha praja as we elect our leader in the democratic set-up... We should elect a good leader this time to see us in a better position. It's the responsibility on the shoulders of the people-elect leader. This time, let's elect a good leader as per our choice...

    We should be against false temptations and provocations...

    We should be against deception, corruption, and exploitation...

    No bribery, offered in offices to get the work done... 

We shouldn't allow any rigging in the election... For all these reforms, we should vote for a good candidate...

    First, we shouldn't have faults... We shouldn't have differences among ourselves...We should examine ourselves... and correct our fauts.   

    All of us are one...We're one...We should have unity to fight against communal feelings and caste prejudices like the people in Gangadevipally village, the most ideal village in the nation...

    Ours is Gangadevinagar that is very much bigger than Gangadevipally. We should be broader in our outlook. We should be human and humanistic in every step... We should be higher than its people are...

    In fact, Gangadevipally must be our example...an inspiration...a model for us...It's a village with a big name... Ours is a big city with the same name...It should be a prestige question for all of us...

    To elect the right leader in the right way is our birthright...

        ...        ...        ...        ...        ...

    In the wake of their unanimous resolution, there was a sudden transformation in the people. The city was heading towards progress...It was very peaceful... It did not let any evil happen. All had unity to fight against all evils. The clashes that had been there earlier did not take place. The people were not ready for bribery in the offices. There was a change in them in all respects. There was a silent revolution in the minds of all the people of Gangadevinagar against the leader, Sarva Daksha.

    The leader Sarva Daksha was not able to digest the revolutionary changes in the public. The unprecedented revolution left the leader restless. He fell into a series of thoughts. He evolved the new strategies, but he was doubtful about his success in the election.

    The negative waves started to blow from all directions against the leader, Sarva Daksha and his false tactics of schemes... He felt nervous about the on-going silent revolution.

    Sarva Daksha contacted his supporters in all the places. He did not get any correct information. He learnt that they did not for him. They decided to defeat him in the forthcoming election. They therefore did not care for the leader. The situation was stunning for him. When there was no alterbativre, he was serious in his thoughts and plans. He diffused powerful goons in every street to scare the people.

 

    The goons met the people in every street to find out their secret plans. Sarva Daksha ordered them to foil the plans of the people of revolution. 

    'What’re you planning against Sarva Daksha...?' said the goons.

    'We’re planning to defeat him this time...,' said the people.

    'Do you know what will happen if you plan to defeat him?' said the goons.

    'We’ll be successful, and he'll learn bitter lessons...,' said the people.

          

            ‘You’re going to face bad consequences…Your lives will be in desert sans oasis…,’ said the goons.

    'We're ready to face any kind of situation...We're for the right cause... We've the support of all the people...We've unity... None can question our unity...' said the people collectively.

 

    'Why do you reap bad consequence...?' said the goons.

    'For the welfare of the people, we're ready to face any kind of consequences...' said the people confidently.

    'You aren't all the people...All the people are not here...,' said the goons.

    'We're the representatives of all the people from all the streets of the city, Gangadevinagar...  We're the voice of the people...We’re the pulse of the people... We're the spirit of the people's revolution,' said the people.

    'I see...Your bodies will float on the Bay of Bengal...,' said the goons.

    'Let our bodies float on the Bay of Bengal...We're ready to die for the welfare of our city, Gangadevinagar,' said the people.

    'You cry over split milk after the failure of your plans...,' said the goons.

    'We're going to win the case...Sarva Daksha is not going to win,' said the people.

    'We're going to offer ten lakhs for each vote…Offer drinks they can swning in toxication ... In your welfare, we advise to withdraw your plans,' said the goons in the high pitch to scare the people.

    'We're for the revolution... for the right cause... We're for our revolution to change Sarva Daksha,' said the people.

    All the people had unity for the goal of turning their city model. They had no second opinion about it. When they saw the unity of the people..., the goons ran away despite having bombs in their pockets.

   

    The elections were fast approaching. The people were very careful about their principles in going against the evil practices of Sarva Daksha. When they saw a van coming with liquor bottles, they stopped it and burnt all the bottles. Even the drunkards were cooperating with them in the revolution.

    The secret agents came there to circulate money, two thousand cureency notes to each of the voters. They came in a jeep with bundles of notes.  The people burnt the notes in the presence of the secret agents. The plans of Sarva Daksha failed. 

    The election took place on the day of poll peacefully. The people were watching even the polling personnel. At every step, they saw the elections conducted smoothly. 

    The supporters of Sarva Daksha tried rigging but failed miserably, as their number was very less. The people became stronger to oppose the evil practices.

    Sarva Daksha was defeated. He lost his deposit. He felt the defeat very much insulting. He went to Goa to hide himself from the public for a long time.

    The people elected the leader, Janaprem who was ready to devote his time or sacrifice his life for the development of the city, Gangadevinagar.

    It was the success of the people... It was the consensus of the people...It was the verdict of the people. Everything turned democratic to make the corrupt leaders feel ashamed of contesting the election and showing their faces to the people in the election everywhere.

    The people wanted their city, Gangadevinagar to be on the lines of Gagadevipalli, the most model village in the nation. Here after, Gangadevinagar is also the most model city in the nation to set an example for other cities.  

     The people did not give any chance for rigging for Sarva Daksha. When they elected a new leader, there was no trivial trinity of corruption, deception, and exploitation. The people in the city were not ready for bribery. 

    There were no social evils and false practices like ragging in schools and colleges and ragging in colleges. There were no rapes and no incidents of violence as the people minded Ambedkar's theory of trinity: liberty, equality, and fraternity. They saw a new sunrise. To speak in brief, Gangadevinagar was peaceful on the lines of Gangadavipally.  It was the most welcome chapter in the history of the city.

Published: Literary Vibes

Edition: CLXV

Date: 29th May 2026

https://positivevibes.today/article/newsview/636#NEW%20SUNRISE

MY EMOTIONS AS FALLING FLOWER

All my life I faced storm and shower

With all powers as a warrior

I was the queen in crown

Now I am Flower in wilt and wither

My moments are a few in count down

Their number is going to be zero,

For I am conscious of time’s flow,

Past, present, and future

That I am going to fall soon I know

Innumerable emotions in my heart.

All hearty look at my plight in tear

Recalling my life from dreaming as a bud

Unto my falling as a flower

I was the host to invite every guest

For the fabulous, delicious fest,

Relishing, revelling,

As a freshly, fully bloomed flower

As gleam to shatter gloom

Like the moon with its cool beams

Like the sun with its warm rays.

All were in excessive joys,

Hearing my unheard melodies

Watching my charms on petal brow

With fragrance to fill the air

Sweetening and gladdening.

The soft touch of petal couch

The sweet substance at my heart

All for the palatal feast

As honeyed cud to revel in excel

Taste buds eager to open,

I welcomed all the five senses

For their sensuous and sumptuous feast

Still, I dream…I love to live longer.

Now I am the falling flower in moments

In the form of wrinkles on my pretty face

As twinkles of colours faded in my race

Like dark clouds to hide bright rays,

The flaw of my supernal stature.

I know I am going to fall,

I am trodden by turbulent feet

I am on the ground as a fallen flower

Under the feet, I am crushed to paste

I join the womb of my mother soil.

Who gave me life and glory,

Beauty for gaiety to viewers’ plenty.

Though my fall is in the offing,

Inevitable and irresistible?

I am lovely creation for love, I am great

Feeling full life in life short and sweet

In my sojourn I leave my offspring,

The seed for renewal, ever living

I am beauty, I am verity ever.

I am the sermon of the Creator

In my adoration as a flower.

I am for selfless service,

Serving is my wish for creatures’ bliss.

No tear as I am ephemeral

But joy for my blissful service is eternal.

Published: Literary Vibes

Edition: CLXV

Date: 29th May, 2026

https://positivevibes.today/article/newsview/637 

POETIC HEIGHTS AND DEPTHS

 Poetry is mighty and majestic

Unequalled in magnitude

Unrivalled in multitude

For its imagination is fantastic

Poetry is vibrant in vision

Unlike science and mathematics

With limitations and boundaries

With nothing more, nothing less,

Like the apple flown high falls to the ground

Like (a+b)2 is a2+b2+2ab

To be noted in the spectrum of a line.

Poetry is a sojourn in the present

Touching the past and the future

To be eternal into the flow eternal

In the fountain of minds

   As seen through the telescope of imagination

Poetry is the art born in mind

To be appealing to the heart

Like sunrays, beams and twinkles

It is the lens to visualise

Mountain heights and ocean depths

A huge mansion to handle in the vacuum

It lights two hemispheres with its rays

At a time, in a fraction of time

It is a free bird to fly spree

All over the world sans VISA

Breaking all walls built by man.

Published: Literary Vibes

Edition: CLXV

Date: 29th May 2026

True Love: Journey of Success

Vishwajith was on his tour to Ramappa temple at Palampet in Mulugu district, Telangana, India with a view to seeing the marvelous sculptures as the most invaluable treasures for tourists to watch. He had already seen the sculpture-treasures.  Still, he continued to see the beauty of sculptures whenever he had leisure for his pleasure. He talked about sculptors’ chiseling sculptures and was talking about the Kakatiyas and their foresighted agricultural reforms to his friend Pradeep. His friend was listening to him attentively.

Many other tourists came to pray to Lord Shiva enshrined in the temple. They worshipped Lord Shiva for munificent in showering blessings on them and devotees. They had the glimpse of beautiful sculptures to reflect the archeological wonders of the temple. They were busy watching sculptures and were appreciating the sculptors for chiseling them beautifully. 

There came a foreigner to glimpse the marvels chiseled as sermons in stones. He was watching the chiseling of sculpture with rapt attention. He had his glance at every sculpture one after the other. He sought the help of the guide who was trying to explain the beauty of sculptures in English. The foreign tourist was listening to him happily.

Nandi, the bull in the sitting posture, facing the deity enshrined in the temple, looked in lovely and lively gestures. It looked mighty and majestic. Tourists were surprised to see its eyes glimpsing in all angles. All were happy that Nandi was looking towards them in love. They found life and glory in the charming eyes of Nandi.

Vishwajith keenly observed the statues of Ragini and Nagini on the temple. He found them special and extraordinary, beautiful and attractive. Sculptors took extra care using distinctive skills in carving and chiseling them. Calling his friend Pradeep, he showed the sculptures on the temple with the right-hand showing finger while smiling heartily.

“Behold the statues of Ragini and Nagini…I don’t call them statues or sculptures but living beauties and moving angels, chiseled by the creator,” said Vishwajith.

“Yes…you find living beauty in them. You are aesthetic enough to appreciate the sculptures,” said Pradeep.     

“Yes, I am bound to appreciate the beauty of the sculptures… They are not sculptures in stone but sermons in stone… They excel the beauty of women moving,” said Vishwajith.

“You are not seeing all marriageable girls looking at you admiring your charms… They highly appreciate your handsomeness…They say that you are very handsome like Manmadha… All eyes are on you, but your eyes are on the moving sculptures: Ragini and Nagini,” said Pradeep.

“Yes, I worship their beauty… All poets praised Nagini and Ragini for their winsome features. I adore their beauty in the heart of my heart,” said Vishwajith.

 

Vishwajith was very handsome like cinema heroes…He in fact excelled cinema heroes in all respects. All turned their glances at his sight in charms, and they were fully rapt, looking at Vishwajith.

  

Meanwhile, a bevy of beautiful girls entered the temple premises. It seemed they had completed their studies and were ready for marriage. Their eyes were in search of their would-be partners as per their wish. They were fast in glances. A girl was faster than others in glimpsing people. The girls who were behind her called, saying,

  

 “Mayuri, you walk slowly and steadily.  Your gait looks like that of angels. A man in good looks may fall in love with you at first sight,” said her classmates.

Mayuri looked back when she was called by her classmates. When she turned her face, her dimpled cheeks shone like full bloomed roses. Her face was the full view of onlookers, especially robust youth, on the premises of the temple.

“It is natural to robust youth to appreciate my beauty. Beauty is appreciated and adored by all especially youths,” said Mayuri, seeing back.

Mayuri looked at all the tourists. All were to praise her beauty excelling all others in her winsome features. Her dark eyes were big and cute to glimpse beauty all around more than others.

 

Vishwajith glimpsed her fascinating beauty like lightning amidst dark blue clouds. She looked at him unexpectedly. Their eyes met and their meeting was an eye-feast for each other. It was their providential meeting. They looked at each other with fascinating surprise and said,

“I have never seen a beauty excelling the graceful moving sculptures of Ragini and Nagini…Lord Shiva has invited you, Mayuri for me to sight you on the premises of the temple,” said Vishwajith to himself.

Mayuri’s thought process was swift and fast. She said to herself in happiness.   

“I have found my life-partner. Lord Shiva has blessed me to be seen here… Our love will surely culminate in our marriage.”

   

Vishwajith and Mayuri were the cynosures of all tourists. They appeared as if they were blessed to see the super hit pair.

All her friends understood her feelings. Pradeep understood Vishwajith’s feelings. They were instrumental in bringing them together, but their eyes and hearts had already met. 

Vishwajith and Mayuri, with their respective friends, worshipped Lord Shiva who seemed to shower blessings on the lovers at sanctum sanctorum, Shiva knew that they would be life-partners soon.

The temple has a beautiful fruit garden in the vicinity. They were in the fruit garden to speak to each other intimately. Birds on trees were chirping in joy at the sight of the super hit pair. Cupid, love god, appreciated their union that was like the communion of two rivers to flow a river to merge the ocean.  

The lovers’ happiness knew no bounds. They danced to the sight of birds joyful, and trees full of flowers. Their friends enjoyed the lovely sight of the lovers amid the trees and wished them well.

              …                  …        …        …                  …        

Vishwajith and Mayuri told their parents that they had fallen in love with each other at first sight. Their parents were convinced to show a green signal for their marriage. All were eager and they were at the marriage venue.

The two, Vishwajith and Mayuri, became one in the marriage venue. All the guests were happy as they found them made for each other, as they were born for each other. All enjoyed the occasion as they found the most suitable pair in their life.

“Two eyes are not enough to see their excelling charms,” said the guests.

“Any couple must be like that of Vishwajith and Mayuri. They were born somewhere but met on the precincts of the holy temple,” continued the guests to praise the newlyweds.

   

The newlyweds were on their honeymoon. First, they visited Ramappa Temple and sought the blessings of the presiding deity, Lord Shiva. All thought that Ramappa with Lord Shiva would bless the youths to fall in love at first sight and their love would culminate in their marriage. 

The lovers, newlyweds, visited all beautiful gardens elsewhere. Every leaf, every flower, every butterfly, every bird and every object of nature enjoyed watching their intimate conjugal love on honeymoon. The surprising thing was that every blooming flower glanced at them with utmost love and affection. 

  After their honeymoon, Vishwajith and Mayuri came to settle in a place where they expected jobs for them soon. They started living in a beautiful building. 

 Vishwajith brought his parents as he loved them heartily. He had reverence for his parents. He thought that his progress was ascribed to his parents’ bearing and rearing. 

Mayuri stepped into the house with her parents. She had seen her in-laws very old, older than her parents.

All of them lived together for some days like a combined family. As the days passed, Mayuri’s seeming love for Vishwajith’s parents was slowly disappearing against the wish of Vishwajith. The parents of Vishwajith and those of Mayuri who seemed to love each other were like those staying temporarily as guests at a hotel. 

    Vishwajith and Mayuri searched for jobs. They were likely to get jobs soon. 

Mayuri thought of Vishwajith’s old parents. She did not find any way for her to live with her in-laws when they were busily working as employees.

“I heard about a famous old age home. There were ads on TV for some time in the past. It is very good at services: medical check-ups from time to time, medical treatment, TV, entertainment programs, internet facility, yoga and meditation, hygienic food and cozy shelter. They have trips undertaken for their happy travel. There are nurses helping old people at all hours in it. They never feel any inconvenience as there is strict supervision of its managers in the welfare of its in-mates. I have confidence in it and its services. Old people surely live happily at the old age home,” said Mayuri to Vishwajith.

Vishwajith was shocked to hear about an old age home as he understood why Mayuri had told him about it elaborately. He was sorry for her view as he loved his parents very much. He wanted to keep his parents with him and serve them duly. He tried to convince his wife Mayuri.

“They are my parents. I am born handsome to my parents in good looks… You were born to your parents in good looks and so you are in good looks…We are lucky for our good looks… Hence, credit goes to my parents and your parents. If they had not lived, we would not been born as their offsprings…When parents are not there, sons and daughters are not there…Children must be grateful to parents… My wish is that your parents and my parents should live with us for their joys. It is the part of our bounden responsibility,” said Vishwajith earnestly.   

“When we both get jobs, we go to offices. We are found busy. Your parents and my parents live on their own here. None is there to look after them… Suppose we move from place to place they can’t move with us. To be away from all such problems, my friend kept his parents at an old age home. His parents are living in it comfortably… I too plan…,” said Mayuri expressing her wish.

Meanwhile, the parents of Mayuri got ready to leave for their native place. Vishwajith asked them to stay back in his house with them.

“Nowadays newlyweds today want to live freely in their own ways. We noticed the same feeling in our son and daughter-in-law after their marriage…We did not stay with them, allowing them to enjoy free marital life…,” Mayuri’s parents.

“We too know what you have said at length…We don’t need anybody’s advice,” said Vishwajith’s parents.

 

 “We are to look after agriculture… What happens to our green fields, if we continue to stay here?” said Mayuri’s parents while leaving.

Mayuri was angry with Vishwajith. The reason for her anger was understood by him and his parents. He tried to prevent them from going but they did not cancel their journey. They went to their native place.  

“Where is our true love? Our true love is disrupted by the winds of angers and misgivings,” said Vishwajith. 

“You don’t give any scope for our true love to bloom…,” said Mayuri. 

“When you are worried about my old parents’ staying here, you can take them to admit at the old age home you like,” said Vishwajith. 

Mayuri took Vishwajith’s parents and admitted them to the famous old age home. Vishwajith was unhappy when his parents were not seen in the house. When he was unhappy, she was also unhappy in her heart. 

When they got jobs, they fell into a busy routine. They forgot certain important things in daily routine. 

Within a year, Vishwajith and Mayuri were blessed with two twin daughters. All attended their naming ceremony celebrated in a grand manner. They named them Varshini and Harshini.

They were cute and smart to attract all by their charming tender looks and smiles. They were looking at all angles like babies of angels, playing in well-decked swings.

 One day, Vishwajith and Mayuri entered the old age home with the twins in their arms to show them to his parents. The babies were lisping and toddling in the reception room of the old age home. His parents were happy at the sight of their loving granddaughters. They felt that they were missing the love of their granddaughters. They embraced the babies with all love and affection. Tender smiles were lingering over the lips of babies and so their joy bloomed like fresh flowers. 

Mayuri underwent transformation but she did not express any feeling and the feeling of transformation to Vishwajith. She respected his ideas and ideals as usual.

The twins grew to be school going girls. Vishwajith spoke to his parents. His daughters also spoke to his parents happily on the phone. 

Grandparents’ Day was held at the school of their grandchildren. Grandparents of the school children were invited to attend Grandparents’ Day at school. The twins forced their parents, Vishwajith and Mayuri, saying to them,

 “Bring our grandparents to school for their sure participation in Grandparents’ Day at school.” 

Vishwajith and Mayuri went to the old age home and brought them to their house. 

The next day, all of them attended the Grandparents’ program. Varshini and Harshini were happy. They scribbled a rhyme to recite on the occasion. They together sang it happily to delight all grandparents. 

“We love our grandparents… We play with them… We live with them…They are with us to tell stories at bedtime. We as children enjoy their company. Their love is flawless… Their love is great. We want their love.”        

  All the grandparents were happy to listen to the song of cute and sweet twins. All planted kisses on their cheeks. They were given prizes by the school management on the occasion for their lovely rhyme sung rhythmically. 

The grandparents thereafter lived with their granddaughters happily. When they were happy, Vishwajith and Mayuri were happy as a full and wholesome family.

When Vishwajith stretched his arms wide like a bird ready for its flight, Mayuri in delight flew to his bosom for his warm embrace. They hugged each other knowing no time. All were happy and said, “True love is a journey of success, overcoming trifles and hurdles, they come across in life… We are happy and all are happy… Finally, our Love God, Cupid is all happy for our success journey of true love.”

Literary Vibes - Edition CLXIV (24-Apr-2026)

https://positivevibes.today/article/newsview/633#DEITY%20DARSHAN

DEITY DARSHAN

Deity Darshan is the most wanted phenomenon, dwelling ever in the hearts and minds of pilgrims. It is a special and distinctive occasion in their lives. They wish to have Deity Darshan as they are His devout devotees. They feel blessed by means of Deity Darshan.

The members of family, Raghuram, with his wife Maithili, eldest son Vinay, daughter-in-law Vinuthna, Granddaughter Harshita and Grandson Sandarsh, on pilgrimage in devotion to the Deity of Lord Venkateshwara undertook pilgrimage in the season of prayers offered to the deity by a good number of devotees. His son Vinay got the train tickets reserved well in advance. They were unable to get letters from the ministers for quick deity darshan and comfortable accommodation. It is the usual practice of pilgrims to get them beforehand, three months in advance when they want to visit Tirumala. He was unable to get them despite his best efforts at the nick of the moment.

Raghuram with the members of his family was prepared to travel by the special train to Thirupathi as tickets were reserved for one Wednesday. He decided to have the Darshan of Deity and got into the compartment for his tour to Thirupathi along with his family members. He expected some source to get letters or tickets for quick darshan and good accommodation in other ways on the hills.

First, Raghuram wanted to have the darshan of Lord Srikalahastishvara at Sri Kalahasti and so he and his family got off the train at Sri Kalahasti railway station.

Raghuram and the members of his family refreshed themselves at a lodge and stood in the queue line to have Deity Darshan. Though there was rush, the pilgrims felt comfortable in having Deity Darshan.

The temple is famous for beautiful sculptures. It is a big temple with various gods and goddesses for the pilgrims to offer their prayers to them. After having the darshan of Lord Shiva (Srikalahastishvara) and others. They travelled to Thirupathi by bus. They enquired at the Tirupathi bus station about the availability of accommodation at Thirumala on the seven hills. They took a room in a lodge near the bus station.

Well before the sunrise at four, they hired a car. The owner of the car dropped them at Thirumala. As they did not find letters and tickets otherwise for darshan and stay, they stood in the queue line well before dawn at five o’ clock. Pilgrims started running inside the queue overtaking them who were sincerely proceeding to Deity Darshan. They were unhappy with that.

The queue was like serpent Vasuki. They were to go long and long to have Deity Darshan. They were facing all hurdles due to over rush, no police to control the pilgrims in queue, and the indiscipline of overtaking on the part of pilgrims.

“The pilgrims are not principled, and it was clearly seen in every inch… They do not know discipline, or they deliberately ignored it as per the situation.

“If it is our school and the drill master is here, he punishes them severely,” said Harshita.

“Yes, the drill master surely punishes them for violating rules,” said Sandarsh.

“It is not your school with your drill master…The pilgrims standing in the queue are unruly…Only God must be at their hearts guiding them to be sincere,” said Vinuthna.

“God is in shrine busy blessing the pilgrims. When none is there to control the pilgrims, rules and principles are ignored and rules are violated…,” said Vinay.

Like that the members of Raghuram’s family were commenting on the pilgrims. They were in helpless position.

Pilgrims first stood in the queue to have the opportunity of having Deity Darshan. They violated the rule, ‘First come, first served’ to have the deity darshan as early as possible.

A stout woman appeared suddenly on the scene as she used her strength and vigor. She opened her mouth and started speaking loudly. She scolded the pilgrims overtaking other pilgrims,

“Don’t you have sense to be disciplined,” she said to them.

They kept quiet. They hesitated to speak to her. She went on abusing them to give impression that she was sincerely standing and coming in the queue. She talked about the deity. She referred to the insincere pilgrims,

“The deity is watching you from a distance… He will punish you at the right time in the right way,” said the woman.

“What you said is right,” said Raghuram to her,

“Insincere pilgrims, don’t think that the deity is silent in the shrine,” said the woman.

“The deity is Almighty…all powerful…All pervasive…He is everywhere to watch them,” said Raghuram.

“The deity is kind…He blesses the pilgrims who are sincere and devotional. Last time my niece came and sought the blessing of the munificent deity. Last month, she was blessed with twins…They are like Lava and Kusa, the sons of Sri Rama,” said the woman happily.

“Very good news,” said Maithili.

All pilgrims talked about God’s benevolent acts and spent their time. The fat woman also entertained all of them by speaking about politics. All understood she did not like politicians. In their conversation, they did not notice the passage of time in speaking to her in diverse topics.

Pilgrims were in the queue for about four hours. Pilgrims who had come late at nine and beyond were seen in front of them in the queue. ‘What a wonder!’ they thought. It was very troublesome for them to stand in the queue for so much time. There were pilgrims of all ages. There were senior citizens grumbling. Babies in arms were crying. It was like havoc unbearable for them. They felt like running away but it was not possible as they were devotees coming for Deity Darshan.

Food items were sold though pilgrims were supplied with tiffin and tea at their T.T.D. stalls. They had all and encroached wherever possible causing troubles to others.

There were devout devotees of Lord Venkateshvara! They wanted to have Deity Darshan. It was their sole goal. There was a stampede-like situation on one hand. They uttered the name of the deity on the other, bearing the brunt.

Raghuram was facing the situation along with the members of his family. His grandchildren were facing the same situation. He and elders in the family were looking after grandchildren.

Raghuram looked at the lake beside the queue. He saw water birds swimming in joy. They were as well playing in the lake as they felt comfortable and freedom in the lake. Like water birds he felt like swimming in full freedom in the lake in the vicinity of the shrine of Lord Venkateshwara.

“Dear birds! You are happy and comfortable in swimming and playing in the lake… You have your own free world unlike us. You are blessed with carefree life,” Raghuram said to himself.

He witnessed waterbirds swimming in the lake in full freedom. At the same time, he felt having deity darshan as early as possible. He was in a series of feelings while watching waterbirds.

Now and then the pilgrims moved a little distance and stopped staying at a place longer and longer in the queue line.

“O waterbirds, can you stand in the queue line like us without swimming and playing happily…? You can’t, for you are free… You can pray to God in the vicinity while swimming without standing in the queue,” said Raghuram to himself.

The words on TV about the time of eighteen hours to have Deity Darshan were ringing in the ears of Raghuram. He felt restless now and then.

After four hours, all the pilgrims were accommodated in a big hall. Food items like upma and tea were supplied. They were to stay there in the hall for about an hour. All started to sleep on the floor in the hall. Suddenly they were allowed to stand in the queue. They were running fast. They expected Deity Darshan soon. They felt a boon on their part after spending hours facing hurdles in the queue and the hall.

Pilgrims were in the queue to proceed towards sanctum sanctorum. They were happy to have Deity Darshan soon. They were eagerly waiting for that in the queue, moving whenever the line was clear. Within no time, the queue stopped for a longer while. Meanwhile a series of cars’ sirens were heard. The pilgrims in the queue line understood that ministers, M.P. s, MLAs and other VIPs had visited the temple. They came and were going back leisurely after Deity Darshan.

Pilgrims appealed to the deity with folded hands, making comments sincerely. The comments were heard throughout the queue.

“O my Lord, all pilgrims are equal to you…You have given priority to ministers and other VIPs. You allowed them to visit you at their convenient time…while common pilgrims as real devotees are waiting, standing in the queue for you,” said the pilgrims to the Lord in the meditative mood with folded hands.

“They say that ministers and VIPs are busy. They are ever at the service of the people who are my real devotees…,” said the deity and it echoed.

“We are your real devotees…What they are, you know,” said the pilgrims.

“I know what they are,” said the deity.

“Time is precious for all…Leaders may say that time is more precious for them,” said the pilgrims.

“I am to keep quiet for all these things in shrines on earth. I am speaking to all of you telling the fact… I am busy… I am to look after all creatures, flora and fauna…In wars all creatures including human beings right from the newborn babies to decrepit old age people…There the war is going on…I am to be born as an idea of peace in the minds of warmongers enabling them to stop the war,” said the deity to pilgrims.

“Yes, you are the creator, all powerful Almighty!” said the Pilgrims.

The powerful mantra, ‘Aum Namo Venkateshaya!’ was heard in echo everywhere. All forgot the hurdles and hazards faced and to be faced and were in smiles.

“Why should the deity keep quiet for the leaders?” said Maithili to Raghuram.

“The deity will punish them for the violation of rules,” said Raghuram to Maithili.

All understood the Deity and His busy schedule. He was to bless all pilgrims duly not only here but also there, everywhere as he was to safeguard them as their deity.

Within no time, all were in compartments. Raghuram and others were in the eighth compartment. They expected the deity would be seen. They were in the compartment until 11.30 pm. They were supplied food, tiffin and milk. Their hunger ran away. They slept in the compartment. They did not know how to spend time until they had deity Darshan.

Meanwhile, a film of the Ramayana was screened. It was Sampurna Ramayana in Telugu depicting Sri Rama’s life and adventures. For the pilgrims, it was a nice entertainment. They watched the film talking of the important milestones in Sri Rama’s adventurous journey.

Suddenly, the gate of the eighth compartment was open to let the heavy flood of pilgrims stand in the queue line. They felt relief with the charming idea of having Deity Darshan soon. They were in their jubilant mood.

Devout pilgrims were proceeding with deep devotion to the deity. Youth were in a mood of overtaking, disturbing the line here and there. There echoed the name of the lord everywhere.

Raghuram, as a writer, was ready with his novel dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara. He got the concept of the novel in his mind when he visited the deity last. He successfully wrote it and so he wanted to put it before the deity in the way he had put another poetry anthology in the holy hands of Goddess Vani at Her sanctum sanctorum at Basara. He was curiously waiting for an opportunity for that happy moment.

The deity was scintillating, filling dazzling light of divine light into the hearts of devotees. They stepped into the sanctum sanctorum. They had a glance at the deity in infinite charms.   The volunteers were throwing the devotees one after the other.

Raghuram was also thrown. He just showed his book to the deity and moved on. He had at least the pleasure of showing the book to the deity. The deity blessed him quickly, understanding the volunteers’ mood.

In fact, there was a lot of rush to have the deity darshan. From the holy shrine, they came out, letting others have the deity darshan. They were out to go out of the temple. Some gentlemen stopped all of them, speaking to them, taking a considerable amount of time. What he was speaking to them was not heard and not known. All thought that he was a political leader, “Such leaders get a chance in temples for them to tell pilgrims what they want,” they said.

Raghuram and his family deposited their money and valuables into the lord’s hundies. They came out at last promising to visit the deity again in times of less traffic.

They had sweet memories about the pilgrimage despite the hurdles they faced while standing in the queue and staying in the compartment. Hurdles are for pilgrims to face and have the blessings of the deity, Lord Venkateshwara.

Literary Vibes - Edition CLXIV (24-Apr-2026)

https://positivevibes.today/article/newsview/633#DEITY%20DARSHAN

‘LOVE’, THE VOICE TO UNITE ALL

Between man and man  

A clash is inhuman

Between a nation and other nation

A war is antihuman,

A sign of lovelessness.

Man is born in any nation 

For love, life for life sans tears and fears.

Global voices from deep hearts 

For human relation and amelioration.

Smiles for miles in man’s sojourn

Hand in hand, arm in arm,

Progress of man in the universe,

The welfare of man’s race,

 Love blooms peace and harmony

For the world family

Love transcends barriers and frontiers,

Whereas war is for total devastation  

Colossal loss and universal destruction,

We are not *Brontasseurs and *Dinosaurs

For war to meet our end and extinction,

We are insightful species of distinction.

War mongers need transformation, 

Not for killing, violence and extermination.

 War is not success but defeat for human loss, 

Friend and foe alike including the boss. 

*Two species fought with each other. After a series of their warfare, they have become extinct killing each other. Their war ended in the extinction of two species. 

Published: Literary Vibes

Edition: CLXIV

Date: 24-Apr-2026

https://positivevibes.today/article/newsview/634#%E2%80%98LOVE%E2%80%99,%20THE%20VOICE%20TO%20UNITE%20ALL

River's Autobiography

 

Published: Contemporary Vibes - Back cover page.

https://contemporaryvibes.com/index.php

Contemporary Vibes

Volume No – 21

Issue – 83

April – June, 2026 – Chandigarh

Critical Appreciation of Wordsworth's and Robert Frost's Poems 'Solitary Reaper' and 'Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening' in Comparison and Contrast

Critical Appreciation of Wordsworth's and Robert Frost's Poems 'Solitary Reaper' and 'Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening' in Comparison and Contrast

by Dr. K. Rajamouly

Wordsworth and Robert Frost are well-known nature poets, but they vary from each other in the treatment of nature. They love to live in nature. Nature is their most important subject. Their love of nature persisted throughout their careers, and it is evident in their poetry. Their nature descriptions are minute and accurate, vivid, and elaborate to capture the reader's eye. Their love of nature is due to their temperament, liking and background. They describe the objects of nature: hills and mountains, vales and dales, birds and insects, thickets and trees, clouds and rains, flowers and fruits, rains and storms, lakes and brooks, woods, and snow and so on. They are nature poets, but one is not in the tradition of the other, marking a clear-cut contrast.

 

They both are therefore nature poets in distinctive ways. There is a lot of scope for comparison as well as contrast in the treatment of nature. Different poets look at nature and respond to its beauties differently. There are comparisons and contrasts in the treatment of nature. I would like to take Wordsworth's 'Solitary Reaper' and Robert Frost's 'Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening' for my in-depth study and critical interpretation.

 

Wordsworth is a romantic poet for he gets engrossed into the beauty of nature to seek shelter in its bower and become one with it for equanimity and peace, bliss and solace. He loves nature for its music, scent, charms, touch and taste and he goes to it enthralled to have sensuous pleasures. In the poem, he honestly records his experiences in listening to a song sung by a solitary reaper, Highland Lass while reaping and binding the corn in the field. In the poem, 'Solitary Reaper', he expresses his profound feelings at the   in the enchanting sight of the harvesting scene. On his way to his nature visit, he stops to enjoy the sight of the harvest field and the song of the solitary reaper in the nature lyric, 'Solitary Reaper'.

 

Behold her, sing in the field,

Yon solitary Highland Lass!

Reaping and singing by herself;

Stop here, or gently pass!

Alone she cuts and binds the grain,

And sings a melancholy strain;

O listen! for the Vale profound

Is overflowing with the sound.

 

No nightingale did ever chant

More welcome notes to weary bands

Of travellers in some shady haunt,

Among Arabian sands:

A voice so thrilling ne'er was heard

In spring-time from the Cuckoo-bird,

Breaking the silence of the seas

Among the farthest Hebrides

 

Will no one tell me what she sings?--

Perhaps the plaintive numbers flow

For old, unhappy, far-off things,

And battles long ago:

Or is it some more humble lay,

Familiar matter of to-day?

Some natural sorrow, loss, or pain,

That has been, and may be again?

 

Whate'er the theme, the Maiden sang

As if her song could have no ending;

I saw her singing at her work,

And o'er the sickle bending;--

I listened, motionless and still;

And, as I mounted up he hill

The music in my heart I bore,

Long after it was heart no more.

 

Wordsworth, on one of his nature-visits in Highland, he finds the lass alone in the field reaping the harvest and binding sheaves while singing a melancholic song in her dialect. He listens to her song and gets engrossed in its beauty. He thinks that it is not in his language but understands its melancholic theme. He does not want any interruption or intermission in her song as he wants to listen to it and enjoy the beauty of its sonority. As a romantic poet, he finds it more delightful than that of the nightingale for the travelers to rest in the oasis of the Arabian sands. The song of the solitary reaper is also more thrilling than that of the cuckoo, sung in spring in silent seas, Hebrides. The beautiful setting with the song overflowing in the valley arrests his whole attention to her song that he has never heard and expresses his deep emotions on hearing it. He asks his absent passerby or follower,

 

Stop here or gently pass!

Alone she cuts and binds the grain,

And sings a melancholy strain;

O listen! for the Vale profound

Is overflowing with the sound.

 

Poet Wordsworth expects someone to interpret the sense of the solitary reaper's song, as its language is incomprehensible to him. By the tone of her voice, he guesses it to be a melancholy song to narrate violent incidents like battles in the past, 'For old, unhappy, far-off things,/ And battles long ago', and day-to-day misfortunes, 'Some natural sorrow, loss, or pain'. As a poet, he shares with the reader soothing thoughts aroused from human suffering as expressed in the song.

 

As a romantic poet, Wordsworth withdraws from outer experience to concentrate on inner experience, the treasure trove of thrills as per his wills. He listens to the song inwardly and grasps its melancholy tone. In his romantic experience, he finds bliss in the aesthetic beauty of the song,

 

The music in my heart I bore,

Long after it was heard no more.

 

On the wings of imagination, the poet flies in the wide expanse of nature landscape and beautiful setting. The beauty of the song transports him to the world of fancy and ideas, thoughts, and emotions. He becomes one with the beautiful setting of nature and the song filled with verbal music, 'the vale profound overflowing with sound'.

 

Images in Love of Nature

 

For Wordsworth, Nature serves as mother to bestow on man bliss and solace or the teacher to teach the essentials of life. That is the pure relation of Nature to man.

 

Wordsworth employs the images of Nature to suggest her vastness and dynamic stature.  The poet glimpses the beauty of a harvest scene with the backdrop of beautiful nature while listening to the solitary reaper singing a song replete with a melancholy vein in the description of past events. The depiction of the harvest scene is microscopic, making the reader in its beauty. All the poetic images shape the poem into a wonderful piece of literature.

 

.             Wordsworth is a poet of commoner. The poem, known for its simplicity and naturalness, is with the description of a solitary reaper and her feelings about the past events. There is the rhyme scheme of ab, cb, dd, ee to express his powerful feelings,

 

The lyric, 'Solitary Reaper' marks a clear-cut difference in the treatment of nature from that of Robert Frost, 'Sopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.'

 

Robert Frost's poem, "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening"

 

Robert Frost is a nature poet, but he is not a nature poet in the tradition of Wordsworth as he harps on boundaries that separate man from nature, 'Drama of Man in Nature'. Whenever he gets tired of the monotony of daily routine and mundane reality, he would go to nature like birches to swing with them to the top and get back on the ground and woods to watch them for his momentary contact. The contact with nature will refresh and rejuvenate him to face hardships with new vigor and enthusiasm. His momentary contact with nature keeps him free from the stresses and strains of reality and marks a clear-cut difference form Wordsworth's total engrossment into the beauty of nature as a romantic poet.

 

Robert Frost's poems are replete with New England scenes. The clearly reflects the linking of his moods with the seasonal cycle of nature. His snapshot details are so vivid and so precise that no one else writes in the way he does.

 

Robert Frost loves nature. His nature descriptions of woods, snowfall, bending birches, lakes, brooks, valley mists, spring thaws, storms, animals, birds, ants, seasons, and seasonal changes and so on are characterized by accuracy, minuteness and fidelity. The reader experiences the beauty in all objects of nature.

 

As poet and man, Robert Frost feels the sense of beauty in his momentary contact with refreshes and rejuvenates him with vigor and enthusiasm to mind the sense of duty indispensable and inescapable as man and the poem, 'Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening' portrays the fact in the most befitting way:

 

Whose woods these are I think I know

His house in the village though;

He will not see me stopping here

To watch his woods fill up with snow

 

My little horse must think it queer

To stop without a farmhouse near

Between the woods and frozen lake

The darkest evening of the year

 

He gives his harness bells a shake

To ask if there is some mistake

The only other sound's sweep

Of easy wind and downy flake.

 

Woods are lovely, dark and deep

But I have promises to keep

And miles to go before I sleep

And miles to go before I sleep

 

In the poem, the narrator, poet himself, travels on a horse-drawn coach. On his way, he comes across the woods covered with pure snow in sliver glitters. The sunrays are falling on them to look more enchanting in one of the evenings. The beauty of woods attracts him. He stops his coach at the lovely scene of snow-clad woods and enjoys their natural beauty. He gets engrossed into the beauty of woods, the realm of fancy,

 

Whose woods these are I think I know

His house in the village though;

He will not see me stopping here

To watch his woods fill up with snow

 

As the poet has a keen eye for the pleasures in nature, he flies to fancy, the beauty of woods from the world of reality or the fact,

 

My little horse must think it queer

To stop without a farmhouse near

Between the woods and frozen lake

The darkest evening of the year

 

The beauty of woods enchants Frost, the poet of nature on his visits to it. Frost, the speaker of the poem is likely to go to it enthralled for the revelry of sensuous pleasures in nature. Then the horse that pulls his coach gives a shake to his harness bells to know if there is some mistake when the poet is likely to lose in the world of fancy,

 

He gives his harness bells a shake

To ask if there is some mistake

The only other sound's sweep

Of easy wind and downy flake.

 

When the horse gives a shake to his harness bells, Frost as a poet and man of ‘promises to keep’, springs to life, the real world from fancy and realizes the sounds of 'easy wind' and 'downy flake' that enrich the natural beauty of woods.  He at the same time realizes his promises to be kept and obligations to be fulfilled in life,

 

Woods are lovely, dark and deep

But I have promises to keep

And miles to go before I sleep

And miles to go before I sleep

 

Frost might be lost in the beauty of nature with full of glorified charms and fanciful thoughts. It may enchant him by its sensuous charms for a while, but they are soon broken and he remembers the concerns of real life. He remembers his duties. Although he has fancy enjoying the sense of beauty in nature, he sacrifices it for the sense of duty in the form of promises and obligations in life and continues his journey in pursuit of his goal.

 

Frost is a humanist and realist to mind duties and responsibilities in life though he loves nature by contacting a while. His approach to nature is therefore pragmatic and realistic for he is more as man and less as a nature lover. He deeply feels that the earth is the right place for love and duty. Not to get lost in the beauty of nature, he draws a line separating him from nature as he pragmatically and practically loves duties and responsibilities. He has a momentary contact with it for pleasure and vigor.

 

Robert Frost's poem, 'Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" comes close to Wordsworth's "Solitary Reaper", as it is written in the tradition of romantic nature lyric. Nature here has a dramatic function. It acts as a background to the action. Hence, the poem is akin to Wordsworth's poem, "Solitary Reaper." Frost enjoys the beauty of woods covered with pure white snow until the horse gives a shake to his harness bells in the way Wordsworth enjoys the song of the solitary reaper though he cannot comprehend its language. He guesses the theme of her song. He enjoys the song of the solitary reaper as long as she cuts and binds the grain while singing. Later he realizes,

 

I listened motionless and still

As I mounted up the hill

The music in my heart bore

 

If the horse did not give Frost his alarm, Frost would be as much absorbed in Nature as Wordsworth.

 

Frost's poems are full of nature descriptions. He is successful in his elaborate nature descriptions that are apt in his nature lyrics like 'Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.

 

Imagery and Symbols

 

Frost draws images from the commonplace objects of nature. The symbols used in his poetry have a lot of significance as they represent life. The line in repetition, "And miles to go before I sleep" represents life journey. 'Promises', 'miles to go' are suggestive of responsibilities in life. 'Sleep' in the last line of the last stanza symbolizes the final sleep to mark the end of the life journey and the poet refers to ‘sleep’ in the third line as the reward of man at the end of the day after work. Woods are symbolic of beauty that fills the poet with enthusiasm and vigor in his momentary contact with them.

 

Structure and rhythm

 

Frost employs monosyllabic words in the poem to capture simplicity and naturalness in the description of commonplace objects of nature. The use of ‘stopping’ in the title is suggestive of his momentary stay at the edge of woods in watching the beauty of snow-covered woods.

 

Both Wordsworth and Frost are nature poets, but they treat nature in distinctive ways. They are similar in some respects. They are at the same time dissimilar in other aspects as their attitudes and approaches to poetry vary from each other.

 

Comparisons and Parallelisms

 

Wordsworth and Robert Frost are nature poets.  They love nature as they have a keen eye for beautiful nature though they treat nature in different ways.

 

There is a focus on the common man in their poetry. Frost evinces more concern for the common man than Wordsworth.

 

Both write from personal experience. They express the deep emotions in the beautiful lyrics that are pen-pictures of their personal mood, thoughts, feelings and emotions.

 

Their nature descriptions are local, regional, and provincial as all poets are not free from their backgrounds. Their love for nature is local and regional. Both describe all objects of nature including seasons and seasonal changes. There is a clear-cut linking of their moods with the seasonal cycle in nature.

 

The two poets directly speak to the objects of nature to render their poems dramatic effect. Their addresses to the natural objects divert and arrest the reader’s rapt attention to the scenes they describe elaborately and microscopically.

 

Contrasts and individualisms

 

Wordsworth as a romantic poet loves nature. He is the worshipper of nature. He gets engrossed in the beauty of nature, becoming one with it. He goes to nature, the world of fancy on the wings of imagination, whereas Frost's momentary contact with the beauty of nature refreshes and rejuvenates him to attend his works with new vigor and enthusiasm. He springs from fact to fancy and from fancy back to fact as he has concerns for duties and responsibilities, realities, and actualities as he represents life.

 

Wordsworth reads man's nature in animal and plant worlds in a serious way whereas Frost speaks of the objects and creatures of nature, the animal and plant nature in a humorous way. Frost feels that man has animal-like and plant-like. The horse in the poem stands as a real character to remind him of his day-to-day duties and promises in life when he has fanciful desire to get engrossed in the beauty of nature.

 

Nature gives Wordsworth solace and peace as he finds harmony between him (man) and nature. Therefore, he gives the status of divinity to Nature. Nature is benevolent to him. He treats Nature as mother, teacher, or brother but Frost never feels any such relation. His momentary contact with nature, the snow-covered woods in the poem refreshes and rejuvenates him whenever he gets tired of monotony, the mechanism of life.

 

For Wordsworth, Nature is mother, teacher or brother with pure relationship. Frost does not feel any brotherhood for nature but his momentary contact with nature refreshes and rejuvenates him to have vigor and enthusiasm for the concerns of real life.

 

Conclusion

 

Wordsworth and Robert Frost are nature poets in distinctive ways. They present realistic descriptions of nature in their respective poems. They stand significant as they deal with a common man in their poems. They excel other poets as their poems have simplicity and naturalness to express their emotions and feelings. The poems excel other poems by virtue of their poetic merits.

 

Published: ContemporaryVibes

Vol: 21 No. 81 Oct-Dec 2025

Critical Appreciation of Wordsworth's and Robert Frost's Poems 'Solitary Reaper' and 'Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening' in Comparison and Contrast

 Critical Appreciation of Wordsworth's and Robert Frost's Poems
'Solitary Reaper' and 'Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening'
in Comparison and Contrast 

Dr. Rajamouly Katta

Wordsworth and Robert Frost are well-known nature poets, but they vary from each other in the treatment of nature. They love to live in nature. Nature is their most important subject. Their love of nature persisted throughout their careers, and it is evident in their poetry. Their nature descriptions are minute and accurate, vivid, and elaborate to capture the reader's eye. Their love of nature is due to their temperament, liking and background. They describe the objects of nature: hills and mountains, vales and dales, birds and insects, thickets and trees, clouds and rains, flowers and fruits, rains and storms, lakes and brooks, woods, and snow and so on. They are nature poets, but one is not in the tradition of the other, marking a clear-cut contrast.

     They both are therefore nature poets in distinctive ways. There is a lot of scope for comparison as well as contrast in the treatment of nature. Different poets look at nature and respond to its beauties differently. There are comparisons and contrasts in the treatment of nature. I would like to take Wordsworth's 'Solitary Reaper' and Robert Frost's 'Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening' for my in-depth study and critical interpretation.

     Wordsworth is a romantic poet for he gets engrossed into the beauty of nature to seek shelter in its bower and become one with it for equanimity and peace, bliss and solace. He loves nature for its music, scent, charms, touch and taste and he goes to it enthralled to have sensuous pleasures. In the poem, he honestly records his experiences in listening to a song sung by a solitary reaper, Highland Lass while reaping and binding the corn in the field. In the poem, 'Solitary Reaper', he expresses his profound feelings at the in the enchanting sight of the harvesting scene. On his way to his nature visit, he stops to enjoy the sight of the harvest field and the song of the solitary reaper in the nature lyric, 'Solitary Reaper'.

 Behold her, sing in the field,

 Yon solitary Highland Lass!

 Reaping and singing by herself;

 Stop here, or gently pass!

 Alone she cuts and binds the grain,

 And sings a melancholy strain;

 O listen! for the Vale profound

 Is overflowing with the sound.

 No nightingale did ever chant

 More welcome notes to weary bands

 Of travellers in some shady haunt,

 Among Arabian sands:

 A voice so thrilling ne'er was heard

 In spring-time from the Cuckoo-bird,

 Breaking the silence of the seas

 Among the farthest Hebrides

 Will no one tell me what she sings?--

 Perhaps the plaintive numbers flow

 For old, unhappy, far-off things,

 And battles long ago:

 Or is it some more humble lay,

 Familiar matter of to-day?

 Some natural sorrow, loss, or pain,

 That has been, and may be again?

 Whate'er the theme, the Maiden sang

 As if her song could have no ending;

 I saw her singing at her work,

 And o'er the sickle bending;--

 I listened, motionless and still;

 And, as I mounted up he hill

 The music in my heart I bore,

 Long after it was heart no more.

     Wordsworth, on one of his nature-visits in Highland, he finds the lass alone in the field reaping the harvest and binding sheaves while singing a melancholic song in her dialect. He listens to her song and gets engrossed in its beauty. He thinks that it is not in his language but understands its melancholic theme. He does not want any interruption or intermission in her song as he wants to listen to it and enjoy the beauty of its sonority. As a romantic poet, he finds it more delightful than that of the nightingale for the travelers to rest in the oasis of the Arabian sands. The song of the solitary reaper is also more thrilling than that of the cuckoo, sung in spring in silent seas, Hebrides. The beautiful setting with the song overflowing in the valley arrests his whole attention to her song that he has never heard and expresses his deep emotions on hearing it. He asks his absent passerby or follower,

 Stop here or gently pass!

 Alone she cuts and binds the grain,

 And sings a melancholy strain;

 O listen! for the Vale profound

 Is overflowing with the sound.

     Poet Wordsworth expects someone to interpret the sense of the solitary reaper's song, as its language is incomprehensible to him. By the tone of her voice, he guesses it to be a melancholy song to narrate violent incidents like battles in the past, 'For old, unhappy, far-off things,/ And battles long ago', and day-to-day misfortunes, 'Some natural sorrow, loss, or pain'. As a poet, he shares with the reader soothing thoughts aroused from human suffering as expressed in the song.  As a romantic poet, Wordsworth withdraws from outer experience to concentrate on inner experience, the treasure trove of thrills as per his wills. He listens to the song inwardly and grasps its melancholy tone. In his romantic experience, he finds bliss in the aesthetic beauty of the song,

 The music in my heart I bore,

 Long after it was heard no more.

     On the wings of imagination, the poet flies in the wide expanse of nature landscape and beautiful setting. The beauty of the song transports him to the world of fancy and ideas, thoughts,  and emotions. He becomes one with the beautiful setting of nature and the song filled with verbal music, 'the vale profound overflowing with sound'.

Images in Love of Nature

     For Wordsworth, Nature serves as mother to bestow on man bliss and solace or the teacher to teach the essentials of life. That is the pure relation of Nature to man.

     Wordsworth employs the images of Nature to suggest her vastness and dynamic stature. The poet glimpses the beauty of a harvest scene with the backdrop of beautiful nature while listening to the solitary reaper singing a song replete with a melancholy vein in the description of past events. The depiction of the harvest scene is microscopic, making the reader in its beauty. All the poetic images shape the poem into a wonderful piece of literature.

    

     Wordsworth is a poet of commoner. The poem, known for its simplicity and naturalness, is with the description of a solitary reaper and her feelings about the past events. There is the rhyme scheme of ab, cb, dd, ee to express his powerful feelings,

     The lyric, 'Solitary Reaper' marks a clear-cut difference in the treatment of nature from that of Robert Frost, 'Sopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.'

 Robert Frost's poem, "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening"

    

     Robert Frost is a nature poet, but he is not a nature poet in the tradition of Wordsworth as he harps on boundaries that separate man from nature, 'Drama of Man in Nature'. Whenever he gets tired of the monotony of daily routine and mundane reality, he would go to nature like birches to swing with them to the top and get back on the ground and woods to watch them for his momentary contact. The contact with nature will refresh and rejuvenate him to face hardships with new vigor and enthusiasm. His momentary contact with nature keeps him free from the stresses and strains of reality and marks a clear-cut difference form Wordsworth's total engrossment into the beauty of nature as a romantic poet.

     Robert Frost's poems are replete with New England scenes. The clearly reflects the linking of his moods with the seasonal cycle of nature. His snapshot details are so vivid and so precise that no one else writes in the way he does. 

     Robert Frost loves nature. His nature descriptions of woods, snowfall, bending birches, lakes, brooks, valley mists, spring thaws, storms, animals, birds, ants, seasons, and seasonal changes and so on are characterized by accuracy, minuteness and fidelity. The reader experiences the beauty in all objects of nature.

     As poet and man, Robert Frost feels the sense of beauty in his momentary contact with refreshes and rejuvenates him with vigor and enthusiasm to mind the sense of duty indispensable and inescapable as man and the poem, 'Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening' portrays the fact in the most befitting way:

 Whose woods these are I think I know

 His house in the village though;

 He will not see me stopping here

 To watch his woods fill up with snow 

 My little horse must think it queer

 To stop without a farmhouse near

 Between the woods and frozen lake

 The darkest evening of the year

 He gives his harness bells a shake

 To ask if there is some mistake

 The only other sound's sweep

 Of easy wind and downy flake.

 Woods are lovely, dark and deep

 But I have promises to keep

 And miles to go before I sleep

 And miles to go before I sleep

     In the poem, the narrator, poet himself, travels on a horse-drawn coach. On his way, he comes across the woods covered with pure snow in sliver glitters. The sunrays are falling on them to look more enchanting in one of the evenings. The beauty of woods attracts him. He stops his coach at the lovely scene of snow-clad woods and enjoys their natural beauty. He gets engrossed into the beauty of woods, the realm of fancy,

 Whose woods these are I think I know

 His house in the village though;

 He will not see me stopping here

 To watch his woods fill up with snow

     As the poet has a keen eye for the pleasures in nature, he flies to fancy, the beauty of woods from the world of reality or the fact,

 My little horse must think it queer

 To stop without a farmhouse near

 Between the woods and frozen lake

 The darkest evening of the year

     The beauty of woods enchants Frost, the poet of nature on his visits to it. Frost, the speaker of the poem is likely to go to it enthralled for the revelry of sensuous pleasures in nature. Then the horse that pulls his coach gives a shake to his harness bells to know if there is some mistake when the poet is likely to lose in the world of fancy,

 He gives his harness bells a shake

 To ask if there is some mistake

 The only other sound's sweep

 Of easy wind and downy flake.

 When the horse gives a shake to his harness bells, Frost as a poet and man of ‘promises to keep’, springs to life, the real world from fancy and realizes the sounds of 'easy wind' and 'downy flake' that enrich the natural beauty of woods. He at the same time realizes his promises to be kept and obligations to be fulfilled in life,

 Woods are lovely, dark and deep

 But I have promises to keep

 And miles to go before I sleep

 And miles to go before I sleep

     Frost might be lost in the beauty of nature with full of glorified charms and fanciful thoughts. It may enchant him by its sensuous charms for a while, but they are soon broken and he remembers the concerns of real life. He remembers his duties. Although he has fancy enjoying the sense of beauty in nature, he sacrifices it for the sense of duty in the form of promises and obligations in life and continues his journey in pursuit of his goal.

     Frost is a humanist and realist to mind duties and responsibilities in life though he loves nature by contacting a while. His approach to nature is therefore pragmatic and realistic for he is more as man and less as a nature lover. He deeply feels that the earth is the right place for love and duty. Not to get lost in the beauty of nature, he draws a line separating him from nature as he pragmatically and practically loves duties and responsibilities. He has a momentary contact with it for pleasure and vigor.

     Robert Frost's poem, 'Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" comes close to Wordsworth's "Solitary Reaper", as it is written in the tradition of romantic nature lyric. Nature here has a dramatic function. It acts as a background to the action. Hence, the poem is akin to Wordsworth's poem, "Solitary Reaper." Frost enjoys the beauty of woods covered with pure white snow until the horse gives a shake to his harness bells in the way Wordsworth enjoys the song of the solitary reaper though he cannot comprehend its language. He guesses the theme of her song. He enjoys the song of the solitary reaper as long as she cuts and binds the grain while singing. Later he realizes,

 I listened motionless and still

 As I mounted up the hill

 The music in my heart bore

     If the horse did not give Frost his alarm, Frost would be as much absorbed in Nature as Wordsworth.

     Frost's poems are full of nature descriptions. He is successful in his elaborate nature descriptions that are apt in his nature lyrics like 'Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.

Imagery and Symbols

    Frost draws images from the commonplace objects of nature. The symbols used in his poetry have a lot of significance as they represent life. The line in repetition, "And miles to go before I sleep" represents life journey. 'Promises', 'miles to go' are suggestive of responsibilities in life. 'Sleep' in the last line of the last stanza symbolizes the final sleep to mark the end of the life journey and the poet refers to ‘sleep’ in the third line as the reward of man at the end of the day after work.  Woods are symbolic of beauty that fills the poet with enthusiasm and vigor in his momentary contact with them.

Structure and rhythm 

Frost employs monosyllabic words in the poem to capture simplicity and naturalness in the description of commonplace objects of nature. The use of ‘stopping’ in the title is suggestive of his momentary stay at the edge of woods in watching the beauty of snow-covered woods. 

    Both Wordsworth and Frost are nature poets, but they treat nature in distinctive ways. They are similar in some respects. They are at the same time dissimilar in other aspects as their attitudes and approaches to poetry vary from each other.

Comparisons and Parallelisms

     Wordsworth and Robert Frost are nature poets. They love nature as they have a keen eye for beautiful nature though they treat nature in different ways.

 There is a focus on the common man in their poetry. Frost evinces more concern for the common man than Wordsworth.

    Both write from personal experience. They express the deep emotions in the beautiful lyrics that are pen-pictures of their personal mood, thoughts, feelings and emotions.

     Their nature descriptions are local, regional, and provincial as all poets are not free from their backgrounds. Their love for nature is local and regional. Both describe all objects of nature including seasons and seasonal changes. There is a clear-cut linking of their moods with the seasonal cycle in nature.

     The two poets directly speak to the objects of nature to render their poems dramatic effect. Their addresses to the natural objects divert and arrest the reader’s rapt attention to the scenes they describe elaborately and microscopically.

Contrasts and individualisms

     Wordsworth as a romantic poet loves nature. He is the worshipper of nature. He gets engrossed in the beauty of nature, becoming one with it. He goes to nature, the world of fancy on the wings of imagination, whereas Frost's momentary contact with the beauty of nature refreshes and rejuvenates him to attend his works with new vigor and enthusiasm. He springs from fact to fancy and from fancy back to fact as he has concerns for duties and responsibilities, realities, and actualities as he represents life.

     Wordsworth reads man's nature in animal and plant worlds in a serious way whereas Frost speaks of the objects and creatures of nature, the animal and plant nature in a humorous way. Frost feels that man has animal-like and plant-like. The horse in the poem stands as a real character to remind him of his day-to-day duties and promises in life when he has fanciful desire to get engrossed in the beauty of nature.

    Nature gives Wordsworth solace and peace as he finds harmony between him (man) and nature. Therefore, he gives the status of divinity to Nature. Nature is benevolent to him. He treats Nature as mother, teacher, or brother but Frost never feels any such relation. His momentary contact with nature, the snow-covered woods in the poem refreshes and rejuvenates him whenever he gets tired of monotony, the mechanism of life. 

    For Wordsworth, Nature is mother, teacher or brother with pure relationship. Frost does not feel any brotherhood for nature but his momentary contact with nature refreshes and rejuvenates him to have vigor and enthusiasm for the concerns of real life.

Conclusion

     Wordsworth and Robert Frost are nature poets in distinctive ways. They present realistic descriptions of nature in their respective poems. They stand significant as they deal with a common man in their poems. They excel other poets as their poems have simplicity and naturalness to express their emotions and feelings. The poems excel other poems by virtue of their poetic merits. 

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July–September 2025 issue (Vol. 2, No. 8) of Afflatus Creations