A Flood In Memory
Flood waters gushed in
From all sides roaring dreadfully!
Only sinking heads of water reeds,
And a few hut roofs could be seen,
That too remained shedding tears;
As the dark cloud-mountain burst.
Mango trees lost arms, some shoulders,
Coconuts perched on its strong boughs;
The mighty survivors of all seasons.
Snails, Frogs, Snakes and gnats,
Ants, bugs, Lizards, spiders,
Set out their conventional exodus!
King Fisher and Woodpecker found
Abode in hollow jack fruit tree!
Poor and feeble mass, hunger-stricken,
Assembled by the wet school floor,
Waiting for the next charity food-serve;
Hot porridge and wild-roots boiled.
Burning chilly dish would add heat
On their ice-cold tongues.
Mothers had their saved rags in lap
With their tender ones mewling in,
Their ribs netted with wrinkled skin.
Fathers looked at the skies and winds,
Returned to the old wooden benches,
Cursing their fate, while the slant drops,
Pierced on swollen flood-waves.
A blind fight of ripples large and small
Left yellow froth wear a taunting smile!
They could not hide the dismay of
An impending disaster, that would
Shatter their small dreams
Into many a chips, beyond bonding.
Stars got blind by the broken clouds
Ascended from the verge of horizon.
Nocturnal chorus of legendary frogs
And of beetles added awe and gloom.
Some slept with open eyes and sense,
As they knew how dreadful the water
Might turn in the monstrous night,
Sweeping off every trace of existence!
Copyright © Tajudeen Shah | Year Posted 2013
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