Homesickness and longing

Only one who has strayed far away from the motherland knows of homesickness and the angst and longing for home. From the frigid north, crossing continents and oceans I arrive home to mix and mingle in the heat, dust and sweat of the homeland; my body longs to be toasted like a coffee bean in the familiar heat. 

Payannur, Kerala, India

Time and again, I am awed by the living wealth of this land; the fertile red mud, the grand rivers, the pouring rain and intense heat, the spectacular variety and multitude of plants and animals that live and thrive here. Tagore's song "Sarthok janom amar" resonates with the sentiments of my heart.

Blessed am I that I am born to this land and that I had the luck to love her.
What care I if queenly treasures are not in her store but precious
Enough is for me the living wealth of her love.
The best gift of fragrance to my heart is from her own flowers
And I know not where else shines the moon that can flood my
Being with such loveliness.
The first light revealed to my eyes was from her own sky and let
The same light kiss them before they are closed for ever.
(Translation by Tagore)

Sarthok janom amar ami janmechi ai deshe
Sarthok janom ma go tomai bhalobese
Jani ne tor dhanraton ache ki na ranir maton
Sudhu jani amar ango jurai tomar chayai ase
Kon banete jani ne phul gandhe amon kare akul
Kon gagone othe re chad amon hasi hese
Aakhi mele tomar alo pratham amar chokh juralo
Oi alote nayon rekhe mudbo nayon seshe