Metamorphic Portrait

by Hillol Ray

It's late afternoon, approaching dusk slowly; a variety of colors are playing on the canvas of the sky. Hats off to unknown and unfamiliar sky-color Ruby red, scarlet red, and bloody violet (the colors of the prevailing sky); partially blended with yellow and orange colors. Semi-shady color turquoise is hovering on the landscape of the evening sky. Many other hidden colors are littering and mingling in the sky at the same time. All colors are reflected and represented on the cloud patches floating away here and there. Northern wind is blowing through the leaves and branches of the silver oak tree, situated at the edge of the balcony. This residence is located in the heart of Texas state in America. The Mexican Border is not too far away from here. Mexicans are just like refugees, as they resemble the refugees from Bangladesh to India. Most Mexicans live all over the State of Texas. And the Bangladeshis also live on the outskirts of the border town of Kolkata, West Bengal.
Garland is a calm and quiet city. In your palms, you can easily count the number of small to medium-sized homes in this subdivision. At a distance, a few two-story large homes are standing tall with their own grandeur. It's better to call them “Palace” instead of “house!” The entire view resembles the portrait of an impressionist artist. It appears that these homes whisper to each other in their spare time, and gossip about tattle tales. It's hard to understand their language, but good enough for visualization only. The owner of such a wide-open palace with a sprawling front and backyard is Dipto, a successful young man. In this palatial building, his middle-aged mother is his only companion. He used to relax on the swing set, hanging from the ceiling of the balcony on the second floor, after he returned home from the office, every day. He still maintains the same habit, but the depression engulfs him badly. The surrounding nature provokes him with his old reminiscence and such memories hang pretty heavy on his mind. The house gives the air of a replica of the White House rotunda in Washington, D.C. The only difference is in the color pink instead of white. The frontal view of the house is enhanced by the Cul-de-Sac with a fifty-foot radius. In between winter and spring, the yellow color of silver oak leaves enhances the beauty of the house to a greater extent. It's quite attractive to the viewers when the house is bathed and baked by the golden hot sunlight all over her body. Dipto's favorite, the tennis court, lies on the southern edge of his property. The rose bushes of various colors surround the concrete floor of the tennis court covered with sodded carpet, with their own aroma and beauty year-round. Two black-colored metal posts on each side of the tennis court keep the net stretched. Two neon flood lights, situated on top of each post, illuminate the tennis court and look so gorgeous at night. On the backside of the house, the rows of tall red-tip photinia trees inside the property fence line prevent the possible entry of any intruder. The large covered concrete patio lies on the footsteps of the exit door from the dining room area. Glass-top cast iron patio table, iron chairs, and a jumbo-size green umbrella welcome the visitors during the party and entertainment in the backyard. A brick wall, three feet high and two feet wide, makes a cozier environment as well. Forty-yard lights, protruding from each pillar, create a romantic feeling at dawn. These antique cast iron light posts match the decor of the patio railings, from the floor to the ceilings.

176 pages, Hardcover

Published April 4, 2023