A Surprise from Nubra Valley

Kamakshi Lekshmanan

The sand dunes of the Nubra valley were once a part of the silk route. The double-humped camels and the snow-peaked curvy peaks are a visual treat. The skies here are a slate of blue splashed by dusty chalk-like clouds.

On a summer month, as I was driving towards a monastery at the end of a tiny village, I turned around. For I felt the change. To witness a mystery, gather behind. I noticed a cloud cover chasing the Xylo.

I went back in memory. Of all the former years of sun, blue and sultry. The winds of course – that was chill, hitting the forehead. My mind was washed by the bubbling clouds, that were ready to pour. With this thought, I reached the monastery.

The powder of golden sand now was in black and white. It was an unusual day – in a summer month – when the orange replaced grey. It poured and poured. I witnessed the change.

I witnessed climate change. It was real in here.

Kamakshi Lekshmanan arrived home through her forest and mountain trails.
Poetry and Kamakshi became inseparable. Memories became “Paperboats and
Puliinji” (her debut memoir.) She constantly looks for opportunities where she can
contribute her experiences from the wild – to art and poetry. Her photo
essays and poetry can be found in Zoo’s print magazine, Tiny seed
literary journal, The Hopper Magazine , and she is a contributor to Botany of Gaia – A
nature inspired anthology, Quill keepers Press.