Friday, July 17, 2009

the metal grill.


It is characteristic of apartments in my country to have metal grills covering their windows, bulky structures awkwardly growing out of buildings, where a little of the lives of the family inside peeps out, plants, utensils or clothes laid out to dry, or best a storehouse of worn out belongings.

Sliding X shaped grills (like the ones for the lift at the Ministry, the Potter books) were nailed in when I was a little kid. Once in a while, my Dad would slide them open, fasten a grip on my wrist and allow me to watch the expanse of the city. Standing on my toes to rest my chin on the parapet, I'd watch the expanse of the city outside, with no metal striking through the view, it was exhilarating!
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Box shaped grills replaced the sliding ones a couple of years back, and my home grew bigger with the 3 dimensional space the grills enclosed and brought in. Potted plants were laid down and watering them has been the only guaranteed time close to nature in this deliriously dizzy city since.

When sleepless or when a particular mosquito ensures the same, sliding open the glass, my thoughts always find the city awake, dreaming..

When birds, plants and insects shower their unabashed acceptance on the metal, all we do is look and smile.

{crowie cutie}

:)

{grass and a lot of hopping}

My building is going to be brought down soon, to erect a tower in its place. Am guessing, the metal grills would not signify just scrap to most of us.