Once Upon A River

ONCE UPON A RIVER

He surveyed the yard- deeply troubled-drenched, immersed in thigh deep water
Unceasing rain, the swelled river -ominous signs pointing imminent danger
The family already stood on roof- braving the lash, fearing the worst
The household goods were scattered -saving life only mattered

The cow in the barn mooed- its heifer was swept away
His son held the pussy in his lap lest it also got lost in the way
The night was dark- wind and rain were mates in date
He dared not wait - the morning might be too late

He joined some woods and made raft of sorts
The flow was fierce and terror reigned supreme
As some sailed on raft and some tried to swim
Praying fervently, he tried to pull his cattle too to safe crust

With determination he kept on prodding to find
A dry patch where he put his people
He plunged again in swirling waters
To help the neighbors in similar trouble

When dawn came- they stood shivering, desolate
Marooned on a short patch- afraid of getting devoured by hungry waters
Overhead sky was dotted with noisy copters, with leaders and reporters on board
Nobody cared to provide relief- the system was in process-bound to be late

His child was hungry - he looked at the picnickers on air with hate
The father grimaced- the child too must be given the first hint of fate
The river was both their mentor and destroyer
He too will learn to live with its moods and never enquire

The river was a boon for the leaders and some
They played politics of water and raked in moolah
But the down to earth people quietly bore its pranks
Just as they rejoiced when it watered their fields

Thus upon the river a silent legacy was handed over
The little child took his first lesson of resilience, indifference and
hatred of lawmakers
One day the anger will flood out of his chest
And the corrupt system will be washed out in its spate.

~Jayanti Sinha~

More Poems By Jayanti

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