A river’s tale

A blithe river
Young and nimble
Jumping, sliding, slipping, bouncing
Chattering of snow capped mounts
Of trees tall
Of yaks and yetis


Of braided hair
Of joyful tears
Of carefree months
Of winding years


Of the silt of sorrow
Of the dump of angst
Oblate-d by men
And women’s hands


Of heavens opening
With showers galore
Of water evermore
Than she could hold


Of pouring forth
And bringing it out
Of stretching out arms
And embracing all



Villages, temples,
Schools and huts
Boys, men,
Cows, and mutts


All alike in their
Drowned-ness
All in the silence of the sea
All alike in half-lived lives
Just like you and me