I have travelled from Patna to Bhagalpur as a child by train quite often. Steam engines were still a part of the scene then.The highlights of those trips were two...one ,crossing the railway bridge on Kiul river, a tributary of the Ganga and the other was a long railway tunnel close to Jamalpur.
I made that journey to my nanihal in Bhagalpur, once again recently after a gap of probably 40 long years.
The sight which brought on awe and excitement, was tinged with disappointment.
That you see...is me.
Perilously parched and crying,
They say I am dying.
Does it send down a shiver?
I was once a river !
The cool waters flowed calmly,
Beneath the mighty bridge,
Between its steely secure arms,
The train above rumbled,
The metal shuddered,
And I did quiver.
I was once a river !
I danced and swirled,my merry world.
Your peals of laughter,
Matching the trains whistle,
Chubby sooty faces,
Peering from the window.
I could'nt be livelier.
I was once a river !
The train has crossed,
And so have you,
Left behind is stinky residue.
The slime slowly smothering ,
The garbage pile building ,
Shrinking me to a sliver.
I was once a river!
Shabby concrete warts,
Sprung haphazardly,
Growing stealthily like cancer,
I am gasping,you are pained.
The train chugs sadly.
Bidding goodbye forever.
I was once a river!