The Bihar Floods 2008 Poem by Dr John Celes

Fed by the melting snows from Himalayas,
And seven tributaries through the year,
The river Kosi still remains untamed!

A giant ‘water-snake’ that moves side-wards,
Flooding the fields and washing off all huts –
A river that is annually ‘in spate’!

The ‘Kosi’ is the ‘sorrow of Bihar’!
A million people have lost huts and homes;
Many are stranded without shelter, food.

The plight of people is so pathetic;
The helicopters can rescue but few;
The food-packets don’t reach the hungry souls!

They blame a broken barrage near Nepal;
But embankments can’t stop the annual floods;
The river changed its course so many times!

O Indian, wake up to the neighbor’s call!
Share your mite to help the marooned people;
Your love of brethren should engulf your hearts!

O God, have mercy on the flood-hit state!
Recede the waters of Kosi in spate;
Rescue the victims and improve their fate!

Copyright by Dr John Celes 08-31-2008