Amazonica

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We had always wanted to see

The giant lilies –

Amazonica Victoria

Another Columbian exchange

Hiding in my city’s corner

 

But every time we went

There was disappointment

No lilies, not even buds

Just lily-pads

Gigantic saucers on the pond

 

When I think of them today though

I realise

It was never about the lilies

But the marbled leaves

The sunny days

 

The prancing jacana

The watchful kingfisher

And us returning each time

To sip from

The invisible lily’s nectar

 

And those pearly drops

Shimmering on those leaves –

There but not there –

Neither belonging to the lake

Nor to the lily pads

Just like the lilies

Tantalisingly slow

But hopeful

That one day, there will be blooms

The garden will glow

 

Just like ourselves

Perhaps still there, waiting

Two drops that couldn’t meet the lake

Yet shimmering with the sun

Smiling at lilies that never were…

 

10th April, 2026

 

Shibpur Botanical Gardens, located in Howrah, near Kolkata is home to a rich collection of flora, including a variety of rare and indigenous plants. Established in 1820, this historic garden is renowned for its diverse plant species and large collection of water lilies, including the Victoria Amazonica.

Victoria Amazonica is a striking species of giant water lily native to the Amazon Basin in South America. Known for its enormous leaves, which can span up to 3 meters in diameter, it is one of the largest aquatic plants in the world. The plant's leaves are supported by a network of ridged veins that help them float on water, and it also features large, fragrant flowers that bloom in the evening.

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