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.
The shrivelled brown earth,
Wrinkled into furrows,
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 !
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!
बहुत अच्छा
ReplyDeleteआभार
DeleteBeautiful description of the river in today's awful environment. You have chosen the right words to express its pain Once again well written piece. Me n Manas loved the style of your poetry.
Delete👏👍 Sulagna
Thanks Sulagna. It is overwhelming to be appreciated and encouraged by Manas and you.
DeleteSad! Good you were able to make this journey. For me such travelling back in time is a pilgrimage of sorts when I get opportunity to pay homage to people and places that once were and are still part of who we are. They became अमर by touching our unsullied child consciousness.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sabina.The river is just one of the many vanishing entities.
DeleteThe pain of river, well brought out and contrasted with the indifferent humans.. Poet's sensitivity can be deeply felt...loved it.....saima
ReplyDeleteThanks Saima. Environment, values, relationships...there is a lot to be pained about.
Deleteतुमने नदी के दर्द को बहुत अच्छी तरह से उकेरा है रश्मि, कहीं न कहीं हम सभी जिम्मेदार हैं इसके लिए... मीना
ReplyDeleteधन्यवाद मीना। सही कहा, हम सब ज़िम्मेदार हैं, और अभी भी जो कुछ बचा सकते हैं, बचा लें, ज़िम्मेदार बन के।
DeleteThat's the poor plight.We can feel the pain but can do nothing.
ReplyDeleteA lot has been destroyed, but we CAN do something in our small way of being environmentally responsible human beings. Thank you. Please do leave your name next time.
DeleteThe words says it all....awesome
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. Would help if you left your name too. :)
DeleteWish I had joined you on your journey this time, Indeed I have memories of our train journey between Bhagalpur and Patna! Beautifully put yet so sad to see how we have have continued to destroy Mother Nature which gives us life and happiness!
ReplyDeleteThanks Archu. Yes, always a bitter sweet experience going down the memory lane.
DeleteBeautiful expressions.
ReplyDeleteWe have ruined nature's treasure for our selfish gains!
Where do we stop ?
Thanks Bhaiya. We have already tipped over the critical point and we will pay for our indifference and selfishness.
DeleteIan not dying l died. Not because of divine curse but because of thirst Humabeig didn’t dredge. It is said that Ganga flowed from the Jaya of Lord Shiva. Has He become bald. Anyway beautifully written. S. T.
ReplyDeleteThanks Papa. We cannot blame the gods for this misery we are bringing upon us.
DeleteToo good 👍. I am not a good reader but be sure you are a good writer.Down to memory lane it's not always pretty happenings but painful
ReplyDeletetoo.
Amazingly beautiful writing.❤️
Thanks Deobrat. I think you definitely are a good reader to be encouraging and appreciating me.
DeleteWe used to go by train to my Nani ghar during summer vacations. My Nani passed away in 2019 . When I went to Bhagalpur last year ( Nani ghar without Nani’s presence ) and saw the eroded river, it was a complete disappointment . I loved your poem; you walked me down the memory lane.- Pushpam Vaidya
ReplyDeleteThanks Pushpam. Good to know that Bhagalpur is your nanihal too and you could relate to my outpourings.
DeleteSad reality of "urbanization and development" without the progress of minds. The dismay and disappointment brought out innwords beautifully.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your insightful comments. Please leave your name next time, so that I can identify you. :)
Deleteस्मृतियों के स्पंदन से नि: सृत यह तान एक नदी की मौत की ओट में प्रकृति से संस्कृति तक के सूखते जाने की त्रासदी की मर्मांतक हूक है। अद्भुत!!!
ReplyDeleteआपकी इस बहुआयामी प्रतिक्रिया का सहृदय आभार। सही कहा, ये एक सिर्फ नदी की कहानी नही है।
Deleteप्राकृतिक दोहन का विश्लेषण "अहा से आह" तक अति सराहनीय एवं सोचनीय है।
ReplyDeleteसही कहा किरण। बहुत बहुत धन्यवाद
DeleteA harsh reality of dying water bodies and withering grees .Well expressed , I could relate to the pain. We tend to forget - if not here , where ? , if not me , who ? And if not now , when ? Just one planet to live , and just one life to make a difference .
ReplyDeleteThanks, Namita. The apathy towards nature and environment is tragic, but shouldn't give trying,in whatever small way possible.
Delete