Muddy River Poem by Saroj Padhi

The river has turned muddy
like the turbulent heart of a lover
under torrents of tears in constant showers
from eyes of trees
in hearts of wounded forests and gorges
that turn soil into silt in passion's pure surges
in the sheer desire to grow
along the banks of desire
in sweet forms of grains, fragrant flowers
fresh fish and fowl
and give to life, dreams' true colours;

threatened by checks
and distressed by chequered progress
she sighs and sobs for long hours
like a deserted lover
crying behind wild hedges
fanning a strange but sweet scent
of pain in bouts of gentle breezes!


Unable to decipher
even the outlines of her own true image
she flees like a wild elephant
across the plains,
in quest of a clear moon in heart's sky,
to the false point in the mouth of the bay
where she negotiates with devouring waves
for a peaceful stay!