POEM

RIVER AND A CHILD

A flowing river is beautiful,

but an overflowing river is not beautiful.

Muddy water flows with a tormenting noise,

and it creates fear in human minds.

Monsoon rainwater

makes the river overflow.

The scarcity of water in summer

makes the river lean.

Watching all these, a child

asked the river in curiosity:

“River… River…! You are beautiful now.

Why do you overflow in the rainy season

with such an ugly noise?

Your face is not beautiful at that time.

Your muddy colour and angry face are fearful.

We don’t like you anymore.

Now you are flowing slowly

with silver-like water.

Your rhythmic flowing sound

is sweet to my ears.

Now I have no fear of coming near you

and mingling with you,

as you are now mild and silent…!

River…! Don’t be violent and muddy

during the monsoon.

Please flow always as beautifully as you are now,

with silver-like water.

Then I could always come near you,

touch you, and lull with you in love…!”