Ferryman Poem by Gangadharan nair Pulingat..

The old gentleman, the ferryman I remember
who helped us to cross the river for the onward journeys
To the school premises we have to reach in time
The noble heart ferry man helped us each day
In morning and evenings to and fro from school

It was extreme difficult to cross the river
In rainy seasons when the river over flowed
The flood water was speedy with deep currents
Several things came through the yellow water
Sometimes it may be an uprooted tree, log of wood
And there are instances of human bodies came
Which flowed to the Arabian sea in such flood

Still the gentleman helped us to continue the journey
His commitment was so high and morale praiseworthy
His affection to the little ones beyond doubt
He loved us as his own children seeking knowledge
He told us sometimes, he was unlucky in education
No one bothered to send him in school those times
Still he was a messiah of sympathy and love

When we crossed the limit of playing and naughtiness
He warned us stringent consequences by capsizing
The country boat otherwise no one can lead it
In such a fearful flood waters except the gentleman
In pleasant times he asked us to remember his name
Since he is an old man going forward for final journey
His compassion felt us always grateful to him
But he never accepted a fee for his services
Irrespective of his poor financial positions

Life is a long journey where we meet so much good ones
Also limited bad ones who creates troubles to peace
But memory must be there who gave us sympathy and love
When it was in its most necessity of situations warranted
The ferryman who helped us to cross the river Thejaswini
Is no more there and known peacefully passed over
From the journey of life in perfect affection and love
By the fellow villagers and community he lived

In my leisure time I have always remembered
That gentle heart who was a genuine human being
Whose invaluable services that helped us
In giving such teachings of facing challenges of life.