Orinoco Flow Poem by Ranjeet Kumar Lal

Rio Grande did flow beside me
Choosing to depart.
Picked up my spade & symphony
For to make a start.

Troop along the muddy sludge
For to make me stagger.
Swallow a tortoise-shell fudge
To fuel my cloak & dagger.

Anger breeds my jealousy
My bitterness & contempt
As I watch the leopards feed
I lay down beside her & wept.

She did no wrong at EvenSong
Her baked cake bitter stew
I could rejoice at the fish pond
My desires returning anew.

Below me, fish boiling in water murky
Bubbling as bitter feuds.
I hatch a plan to avoid cold turkey
As I lay amongst the ruins.

Feet on temple step beside me
I capture the epitaph.
As I embrace the ecstasy
& rejoice on her behalf.

Alas my pew is bloody still,
As I survey the Orinoco Flow.
Too late for goodbyes now, Jill
Your fate is at the door.

7th January 2007, London, UK (c)