On the Banks of the Buriganga
artwork by ariyana
Descending slowly from the skyClouds white and dark
Slowly moving
To our villages,
To our mango trees
Breeze blowing north
Flag fluttering over a temple
Birds flying here and nowhere
A strong wave surges
On the banks of the Buriganga Boatmen run for cover
But drenched in the sudden
Mid-day shower from Heaven
Heaving a sigh of relief
From the scorching heat wave
This sudden boon they're blessed with
The Rain: a blessing in disguise
On the banks of the Buriganga Rain dropping incessantly
On the Buriganga
Where she embraces them with both arms open
As if she was waiting long for her love lost
For the arrival
Splash - each sound makes her
Gleeful with pleasure
Cool raindrops, fresh from Heaven
On the banks of the Buriganga I can see boatmen running for cover
Heavy gusts of wind
With chilly rainwater
Washes away their daylong sweat and dirt
Fishermen with the day's catch
Try to reach the bank, towards shelter
What they call as their abode - beloved abode -
A tiny hut where a family of seven await his arrival
With the day's catch for a hearty meal
First raindrops of this season
That arrives after a spell of dry and hot days
Buriganga so desperately waiting for rain
To cleanse her from the sins committed by men
Naked children running playing games
Oblivious to sins of their parents, hunger and distress
Wait for them in this world
I see from here lives under the spell of the season's first rain
On the banks of the Buriganga Buriganga cries with pleasure at
Every drop of rain from Heaven
Wet
And cool
Standing here
I too long to wash away sins
That I've never committed
On the banks of the Buriganga
Buriganga!
Flowing mightily towards her destination
- the Sea -
Where she will deposit
Everybody's sins including mine
And I know that one day she will swallow me
And embrace me in her lap
From where never will I return to these worldly woes
As she embraces raindrops from Heaven
On the banks of the Buriganga.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments