Belgium Belgaum Poem by spiritual seeker

When I was younger I stayed in Belgium,
Now I am older it is a place called Belgaum,
One in Europe, the other in India,
Belgium or Belgaum, always a village to me.

Belgium is colder and the people is fairer,
Living on a faster lane, time go like a speeding train,
Bread and cheese is my daily staple,
Daily speak me Flemish, to which I need to grapple.

Belgaum is more modest, people are humble,
Time past slowly, there is always time for tea,
Hot strong curry can be a problem for me,
Kannada is difficult, and but poetic is Hindi.

Seven cold Belgian winters I had to stay,
That is the interesting duration I study and play,
Slowly did I begin to love the cheese and butter,
Without realising my voice begin to sound guttural.

In Belgaum, cows and buffalos will share the common street,
Treated with respect, but try not to hit,
Whenever you cross the noisy busy street,
Look right, left, right, left, but still you can be hit!

In Belgaum, it is convenient to take a three wheeler,
To drive on my own is a never never,
The street is impossibly chaotic, but without temper,
Give and take is their normal living character.

Belgaum has such a fair cool weather,
Early morning walk is always my favourite affair,
Ladies, one more thing this place can specially offer,
They run and exercise in sarees instead of jumper.

Belgium people say they are richer,
Drink and be merry in the pub their regular affair,
But in truth I do not think they are really happier,
Personally I have seen so much depression and despair.

Ah.. Belgaum simple life is a common trait,
‘Sir’ you are respected, and ‘namaste’ is often said,
Hands to the chest, a little bow they make,
Instead of the regular common hand shake.

In Belgium, big old churches stands tall and proudly,
From a distance easy to locate in almost every city,
Clang of churches bells sounds Monday to Sunday,
Alas, there are more people in the pubs than coming to pray.

In Belgaum, Hindus and Muslims lives happily together,
Daily five times azan you can clearly hear,
Also beautiful temple music vibrated in the fresh atmosphere,
A godly place, where spirituality they strongly adhere.

In lovely Belgium was where my two children born,
In spiritual Belgaum is where my poetry is drawn,
Such lovely places such lovely people,
I will certainly choose to be there if I am reborn.

Be it Belgium or be it Belgaum, that is my fate to be,
All along the way they have been very good to me,
Tomorrow one day, when I sit reclined, relax and see,
I have been blessed, both these places are paradise to me.