Tambaram by electric train
A barren land with little rain
Across the railway quarters
A green oasis well-watered
Madras Christian College a landmark
Sprawling buildings within a park
Tree lined avenues giving shade
In a forest setting the college laid
The sundial in front
Prof Kibble`s invention not a stunt
Mathematical design and precision
For all a scholarly inspiration
In the foyer Miller`s bust
To all inspiring trust
Rev Dr A J Boyd the college principal
A Scottish missionary answering the call
Every new student the principal meets
Wednesday evenings coffee and candy treats
A bachelor for so long
A dedication so strong
A few other Scottish lecturers
McPhail, Martin and a pastor
Indian staff well up to the mark
A scholarly setting not more can ask
Acacia Flame of the Forest
Red and yellow tree tops giving rest
Bishop Heber hall my residence
Selayur St Thomas
Halls same ambiance
A square courtyard in the middle
Buildings around all rooms single
Fish pond at one side tucked
Freshies midnight manually ducked
Initiation a hall tradition
A way to boost motivation
Freshies welcomed after such rituals
Comradeship feelings now mutual
Hall day a special occasion
Guests received with much passion
The hall song sang with spirit
Guests impressed and give credit
The Tamilian Telugu
Koorge Malayalee
All members of the same family
These two lines part of the hall song
With such feelings no one goes wrong
SDD Thomas GES Alfred great friends
A friendship without dents
Sam Thomas athletic lean and tall
Alfie answering any call
Sports Day climax the mile race
Sam ready this challenge to face
His rival barrel chested stocky fit
Speed agility against stamina and grit
For the mile race rival allowed to lead
Sam giving the other hope to feed
In the last lap before the finish line
Sam overtakes with grace so fine
Shoulder borne to the hall as a hero
Celebrations no thought for tomorrow
A legend of those days
Deserving a statue many say
The hall system a unique setting
An Oxford Cambridge likeness getting
In the early fifties many Anglo Indians
Most moved to cultures European
Summers in Tambaram scorching
Vacation time home bound train taking
From Madras central station
To Olavakode junction closest destination
A whole nights journey
With little sleep if any
Little paper cups of coffee
From sleepiness to be free
Train stops in the middle of the night
Vendors crying out their wares as people alight
Waiting for the train to move
Kerala at last with coconut grooves
Disemark at Olovakode Junction
Always a busy bustling station
Made way to Palakad TBT bus stop
Bus to Puthiyamkom with luggage on top
3
Lakshmi Nivas a home away from home
Mango grooves paddy fields invite one to roam
My uncle and aunt a loving couple
Made me feel at home taking much trouble
Soon the long vacation over
Back after rest and time to recover
The grimy train ride back to Madras
Rains have brought back flowers and grass
In this way after three years` study
A Madras university degree
Boarded the Chidambaram for Penang
Island quarantine off the mainland
To Segamat entrained
Passing land with much rain
All around green and misty
Different from a place hot and dusty
Malaya in the grip of communist warfare
Fenced new villages security guards
Arrived at Segamat my destination
Met by father at the railway station
Back home at last
Parents older greyer after time that passed
Segamat a quiet restful place
Attracting from us much praise
M P Prabhakar
10.8.15
PJ
