I wish to downsize my living and move to my hometown where I grew up. To do that, I have bought a tiny apartment with plenty of sunshine and southerly breeze. At old age what more do we need than that? The town has changed though. My old school is still there with a new and spiffy look I had not seen before. All school friends have faded out; some from memories and some out of this world almost like the thickets being vanished with their birds and fireflies. There’s no horizon to see the sunrise or moonrise but there is no shortage of brooding high-rises like eyesores. Lusterless stars blink half heartedly. They seem to be scared of manmade light. Local markets have thinned making rooms for big malls where young ladies in designer clothes tip tap the mall floors with their stilettos. Whatever happened to the beautiful Saris? Stray dogs are aplenty but not so with the cats. Where have they gone? People are moving into small or big apartments selling away their ancestral properties to promoters who are always on the lookout with their hawk eye for such lands to erect their skyscrapers. And quiet flows the Ganges, here, as before like the Changeless God. I wonder though if the Ganges-dolphins are still there like they used to be when I was a child.
Through a pall of smoke
Two bluetail damselflies dart
Towards a wetland
Posted for dVerse Hometown Haibun hosted by Mish
sumanar/lekha 
This is lovely, though so sad. The changes that have come about in our short lifetimes are so huge they have upset even the hills and rivers.
I really enjoyed your Haibun. I think, as we get older, our perspective really changes. We see things we missed and don’t see things remembered. It is interesting that the river becomes the constant in life. For you and for me! Well done!
Dwight
So much of the places we lived and grew up have sprawled or become unrecognizable except for a few special spots. It is sad to see things disappear. I enjoyed your very wistfull, melancholy poem.
This is sad, but it stands in for modern progress. Things change so fast or slow, but they change and we don’t recognize our towns anymore. The tap tap of stiletto heels made me laugh. I remember in my 20’s wearing something like that but what these girls attempt would break my legs. LOL! May you find peace, dear friend , wherever you move and live. I especially like the stars being timid ….
It’s a shame that places change as we get older but that’s time, constantly moving on. I love the way you describe the stars: ‘Lusterless stars blink halfheartedly. They seem to be scared of manmade light’, and your haiku is a gem, Sumana!
Oh the progress… the curse and blessing, how wealth means comfort but also light polluted skies… I see it as well, but probably with less speed than in India.. love the haiku and feel for the Ganges dolphins.
Lovely to make changes to simplify life a little. Long may there be wetlands. They are vital to this planet.
That’s the saddest of all – moving back to the beloved place of one’s childhood and finding it has changed beyond recognition.
This really tugged at my heart, Sumana. Your descriptions (brooding high rises etc.) create such a sense of place and sadness. I hope you find the spiritual beauty that surrounds you–the Changeless God.
So good!
I am excited for you. It is such a circular thing, this life. We fly away and, in time, we fly back to where we began. My apartment is tiny, too, and it is more than Enough. Simplicity is peaceful. I am most excited because i see you walking and praying by the Ganges, which would be reason enough for the move. Blessings on your move, my friend.
It seems your small town has been invaded by the skyscrapers of the big city. You can’t go home again it seems I like this.
I can see how “brooding high-rises” can dominate the urban area and remove the horizon.
Hmmm, a mixed blessing, apparently. All the best for your move and new life!
There are some beautiful phrases here, and the haiku is lovely; I can see that glint of blue.
“All school friends have faded out; some from memories and some out of this world almost like the thickets being vanished with their birds and fireflies”. Oh I can relate to this. It is sad to see friendships fade over the years. Something I’ve never really understood. Wishing you much happiness in your new place, Sumana.
your haibun mirrors the transition so well Sumana, i could picture the changes you wrote and how your heart felt seeing it all unfold.