Similarly, the rejoinder from the Appalachians
in “Indeterminate Depths of a Stellar Future”
uses geographical imagery –
“Glazed valleys
unashamedly exhibiting rocky warts
Finely balanced cliffs the restraining power
to abort
With windward faces bracing for the perfect
storm
Leeward shadows keeping nubile creations
warm” (II 3v)
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Amol Titus’ characteristic questioning style
is reflected in the following verse-
“What future
symmetry, asymmetry lies in store?
What configuration of plates will bring
to the fore?
What sculpting forces will enhance or diminish?
New weathering unleash, old erosions finish
What new heat or freeze will further age
Our ancient rock strata well seasoned beige
What lifts, shifts, rifts or upheavals grand
Might yet realize vision of Gondwanaland”
(II 3viii)
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The recent incidences of the Indian Ocean tsunami
and devastating earthquakes in Turkey, Kashmir,
Gujarat, Yogyakarta in Central Java and others illustrates
the calamitous impact of any “configuration
of plates” and our collective vulnerability
(like that of the mountains) atop the “lifts,
shifts, rifts or upheavals grand”. Akin
to the seemingly endless soaring of the mountain
ranges, the dialogue is also about the open-endedness
intrinsic to the cosmic existence. This is touchingly
driven home by Tien Shan in the chapter titled
“Primordial Ties in Everlasting Bind”
“In the rupturing
of bonds, continuities broken
Unbundling facets of wisdom yet to be spoken
Suggesting an inconclusiveness open ended
In the primordial Om several strains blended”
(III v)
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An “inconclusiveness” that is also
evident from the Godotesque absence of the Himalayas
–
“But tonight
during our uninhibited excursion
When we have pined for that sapient version
They have not enjoined, broken the jinx
Bridged the incompleteness, these galling
chinks” (III iv)
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In the Notes titled “The Himalayan
Wait” at the end of A Summit at
Jungfraujoch the author muses – “…the
search for cosmic answers after all these centuries
of questioning remains significantly inconclusive.
Though astonishing finds continue to be made it
is also acutely evident that we have discovered
only this much thus far.
Equally, the Himalayan wait emphasized the intrinsic
open-endedness and inconclusiveness of this search.
With every passing decade or century we appear
to be coming closer to solving the boggling puzzle
– or do we? For the deeper we peer into
the heart of the Universe the clearer the limitations
of our current understanding becomes. Similar
are the shortcomings related to our explorations
of the tumult at the core of our planet Earth
and its consequences for landforms including mountains.
As I penned the 480th line at the close of the
60th stanza I did so with hope & humility
that at some time in the future I receive inspiration
from the venerable Himalayas to rejoin the thread
of this introspection and perhaps through a sequel
resume the journey. With further exploration of
perspectives of those ranges that have spoken
as well as those whose silent participation is
equally integral to the ‘networking so unique’.
For the moment I live through my own Himalayan
wait with only this much thus far.”
The book has touched a wide cross section of
readers and Amol Titus feels particularly blessed
at the kind words sent by readers who are also
Alpine residents. For example, Hans Kopera wrote
from Graz in Austria – “What an impressive
and beautiful poetry enriched by your excellent
ink sketchings. Your verses are most admirable
and I just love the drawings. It is sheer pleasure
to read and see them again and again.” Another
reader, respected environment professional Matthias
Diemer wrote from Zurich in Switzerland –
“I find your poems very moving and they
do capture quite a number of emotions that I experienced
during my mountaineering days. I will certainly
treasure your book.”
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