TAJ MAHAL: A Love Poem in Marble, Guest Post by Ann Whitford Paul

Taj Mahal, Agra, India

In late January my friend and fellow children's book author Ann Whitford Paul and her husband Ron took a trip to India visiting cities from the far south to New Delhi and Varanasi in the north.  Here is her report of their visit to the Taj Mahal in Agra.  Ann Whitford Paul is a wonderful author and poet and has written eighteen books for children and has had her poems included in many anthologies. Her most recent book is 'Twas the Late Night of Christmas. You can find out more about Ann and her books at www.annwhitfordpaul.net.

Entrance Gate to the Taj Mahal

One cannot, should not, go to India without seeing the Taj Mahal.  However my husband had no interest in this great wonder of the world, saying, “I’ve seen enough pictures.”  He can be a curmudgeon.  I ignored him and went ahead and arranged a visit.
Even the approach through the red sandstone gateway is dramatic.  Look carefully through the center opening and you can see a hint of what is to come.

View from the gate

Then step through the arch....

Taj Mahal and Reflecting Pool

.....and you will see this! No matter how many pictures you’ve seen, I dare you not to gasp.  My husband couldn’t stop himself.  Notice the reflection of the building in the water.

The park-like setting invites one to walk around and see the building from different angles.

The Taj Mahal was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a tribute to his deceased wife, Mumtaz Mahal.  Over 20,000 workers worked for nearly 22 years to complete it in 1653.  Caroline Arnold and Madeleine Comera wrote a wonderful book, TAJ MAHAL, illustrated by Madeleine's husband Rahul Bhushan, about the history of the Taj, if you want more information.

Close-up of Taj Mahal

At a distance the building looks to be pure white. but on closer examination you will see beautiful relief and inlaid work.
Since we’d come all the way from California, we couldn’t miss being tourists and getting our picture taken on the bench where Princess Diana once had her photo taken.
So after we left, what did my husband say?
“No photo ever does justice to the Taj.  It has to be seen.” 
And just as no photograph does it justice, words can’t either, but I tried.
TAJ MAHALBy Ann Paul
Words are weak.None can capturethe glistening white,the four fine domes,the intricate carvings,the perfect symmetry.Push paper aside.Paint a mind pictureof this sonnetwritten centuries ago—a love poem in marble.