It Has Been A Long Time Poem by Anil Kumar Panda

It has been a long time
Since I ceased to be a river
No more flowing down stream
Wetting the sides and quenching
Thirsts of the wandering souls

It has been a long time
Since I forgot to sing
No more trilling as I cut stones
And flow through plains and valleys
The green leaves no more
Drape me with their softness

It has been a long time
Since I lost my sheen
All who come to me to quench
Their thirsts keep pouring garbage
From their hearts as I pass
Though lands dry and green