Panorama – A Journey Through the Poems of My Youth
There are books we read. And then there are books that read us—shaping our early emotions, imaginations, and worldview. For me, Panorama: A Selection of Poems, the poetry textbook prescribed by the ICSE curriculum in the late 1980s, falls firmly in the latter category.
Long before I had heard of literary criticism or meter or metaphor, Panorama was my gateway to a world of beauty, rhythm, wonder, and thought. It was not just a textbook—it was a window into time, nature, and the human spirit. Every poem we read in that book has left an imprint on my mind, some even on my soul.
A Treasure Trove of Poetic Gems
Some poems felt like lullabies. Others, like stirring trumpet calls. And a few, like deep, echoing chambers of human experience.
Among my all-time favorites:
- “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost – The hush of snowfall, the weight of promises, the rhythmic pull of life’s journey. Even today, I find myself whispering “And miles to go before I sleep…” on quiet evenings.
- “The Patriot” by Sir Walter Scott – A timeless reminder of loyalty, sacrifice, and fleeting fame. It taught us early the difference between public adoration and moral courage.
- “Daffodils” by William Wordsworth – Those fluttering golden blooms are etched in memory like sunshine after a rainy day. The sheer joy of nature in its simplicity. That was also the first time I got Zebra gold paint pen, which I used to draw the “golden daffodil” with light green leaves using the felt tip pen at the bottom of the page after scribing the poem.
- “The Pied Piper of Hamelin” by Robert Browning – A haunting tale told in magical rhyme. It was part fantasy, part moral allegory, and completely unforgettable. The rhythm of the Piper’s tune still lingers in my mind.
- “The Walrus and the Carpenter” by Lewis Carroll – Whimsical, darkly humorous, and filled with absurdity. It’s one of the first poems that made me realize that poetry can be playful and philosophical at once.
- “Sohrab and Rustum” by Matthew Arnold – An epic of mistaken identity and tragic valor, it introduced us to the grandeur and gravitas of classical narrative poetry.
These were more than just lessons in meter or rhyme—they were emotional awakenings. We recited, analyzed, memorized, and above all, we imagined. Each poem in Panorama was a new voice speaking across centuries, cultures, and landscapes—inviting us to listen, reflect, and feel.
A Lost Book, Rediscovered
As the years passed, Panorama slowly slipped out of print and out of reach. I searched for a good copy online—nostalgia nudging me to find the poems exactly as I remembered them: the same typesetting, the same introductions, and the same layout that made my schooldays so memorable. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find a decent version of the book.
So I did the next best thing: I created my own eBook version.
You can download the eBook here:
📘 Download Panorama – A Selection of Poems
This eBook is not a polished, commercial product—it is a labor of love, a way to reclaim a part of my childhood and share it with others who might have similar memories of studying from Panorama. Whether you want to revisit a forgotten poem, share it with your children, or simply relive a slice of your school years, I hope this version brings the same joy it brought me.
A Return to Simpler Rhymes
In an age of information overload and fragmented attention, returning to these poems has been like a quiet walk in the woods—much like Frost’s snowy path. These verses remind me of a time when we read more slowly, thought more deeply, and perhaps, felt more clearly.
To those who grew up with Panorama—this is a tribute.
To those discovering it for the first time—this is a welcome.
Let the poems speak once again.
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