A TRIBUTE TO - THE TAJ MAHAL br br On the banks of the Yamuna river lies - br An Emperor’s lamenting heart! br His passion and love lies forever crystallized, br In the shape of the radiant Taj! br A poetry which was shaped in white marble br stones, br As his suffering heart cried and moaned, br For his beloved queen Mamtaz Mahal! br br A marvelous synthesis of Persian, Turkish, br and Islamic art and texture, br All blended to create this unique piece Mogul br architecture! br Its central dome is flanked by four tapering br minarets, br And within the dome in a jewel-inlaid cenotaph, br Far removed from our chaotic world of threats! - br Lies in deep slumber a queen, whom the world br never forgets! br br The Taj reveals its subtleties under varying light br and shade, br Radiantly opulent by day, and with its mellowed, br fluorescent soft glow at night! br Its precious stones of rubies, sapphires and br amethysts, br Inlaid in cold marble stones whiter than a dove, - br Reflects the burning passion of an Emperor’s br loving heart! br The universal poet Tagore, had described the Taj, - br ‘As a tear dropp on the cheek of time’! br A tear dropp that still glistens and shines, - br On a silent moonlit night, as you stand and behold br the Taj! br And in the light of day with its passing hours, br The Taj stands like a white rose, an undying br flower! br A tear dropp that has yet defied, the devouring br quick-sands of time! br A tear dropp that is still wet, a tear dropp br that has never dried! ! br - Raj Nandy br New Delhi br 29 Nov 08 br (AS OF 1983 IS AN UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE.