Love Poem: He Is Ever Welcome, Not Just At Special Time of Year
Dr Hitendra Mehta Avatar
Written by: Dr Hitendra Mehta

He Is Ever Welcome, Not Just At Special Time of Year

Brief Prelude 
Diwali is a vivacious festival of Lights celebrated in India. It's big revelry time (akin to Christmas). The key symbolic aspect of festivity is lighting of oil lamps all around and indulging in fireworks. Night time, it's like stars descending on earth. .....Thanks
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Diwali, festival of Light, heralding victory of God over demon, festivity of days five 
Home ornamented with clay oil lamps, rangoli, toranas, revelry mood sky high       
Day one, Gold and utensil as a auspicious omen we did procure
Welcome to my “Holiday Home” at this special time of year

Day two, bath before dawn, new attire, puja marking victory of light over darkness
Day three, Diwali day, puja appeasing Lakshmiji – wealth and prosperity Goddess  
Day four, first day of New year, visiting, gifting and wishing good luck and cheer  
Welcome to my “Holiday Home” at this special time of year

Last day, "Bhai-duj" celebrated, symbolic of love between brother and sister 
Guests, akin to Lotus (only plant to simultaneously fruit and flower) 
Bond the spread out family petals, offering fruits of togetherness to savour 
Welcome to my “Holiday Home” at this special time of year

Family get together, time to feast on sweet delicacies barfi, pedas, ladoo 
New attire, exchange sweets and gifts, foster closeness with start of year new
Children bursting crackers, fireworks all around resembling stars so near
Welcome to my “Holiday Home” at this special time of year

Most enjoy, few resent, visiting kith and kin impinge on their private spaces
Children often hide their favourite toys, adults manipulate their choices
Innocently same kids bond instantly, lesson to adults in guest fever 
Welcome to my “Holiday Home” at this special time of year

Sad is moment when petals scatter, guests bid adieu, 
Lotus crushed, loneliness odour replacing fragrance for days few
Guests are God in disguise, HE is ever welcome, why just at special time of year ?
Welcome to my "Holiday Home" at this special time of year
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Note : In Indian tradition, "Atitithi Devo Bhava", sanskrit phrase meaning - Guests are form of God. 

Rangoli : Drawing of multi-colour decorative forms, omens, in front of threshold

Toranas : String of fresh marigold-cum-mango leaves hung at entrance

Barfi, Pedas, Ladoo : Sweet delicacies 

Bhai Duj : Brothers & sisters meet to express love and affection for each other

(For contest - "Holiday Home" by Linda Marie - The Sweetheart of P.S.)