Death of a lake

A lake,
landmark to
locate easily
my nest like
home, a center
to ever widening
concentric city,
lies without life,
no fishes, no ducks,
no mosquitoes,
not even microbes
exist within.

Like a frozen body
intact, lake is
kept as a
keep-sake, for
there will be no
other places to
dump such waste;
chemicals flowing
from a few hundred
factories, slush, sewage,
garbage reaches her
in hushed silence.

When people
flock to see
with curious
eyes the fire
and froth issuing
from the lake,
taking pictures,
striking unison
notes-aw’s, wow’s,
as if it is all
of the lake’s doing,
my ears hurt-ache-burn.

I see a crow
sitting on
electric pole
cocking its head,
looking restlessly
at people or
mourning the
death of lake,
I can’t say, but,
with as expressionless
face as that of the crow
I turn with heavy steps,
ruffled, helpless,
towards my home.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2024

Poem

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Volumes Avatar
May 18, 2024 at 10:28 AM
Congratulations sweet friend. Very proud of you !
mysore Avatar
May 22, 2024 at 8:02 PM
Thank you very much dear poet.
Volumes Avatar
May 14, 2024 at 2:58 AM
Hmmmm seems I have to stand in line to tell you that I love this poem. So glad that you kept some of your previous poems. I am sure like me a lot of folk would be glad to read the older ones as well as the new ones that you write dear friend. Best wishes , Wen
mysore Avatar
May 14, 2024 at 6:50 AM
you bring so much hope. you bring unforced smile. thank you for the visit & kind words dear poet. Thank you for the good wishes.
La France Avatar
May 13, 2024 at 6:41 PM
Thriveni, welcome back to PS, what a powerful and deep poem so wonderfully penned, well done, I have a contest going on if you are interested in entering something, I would love that, hugs, Constance
mysore Avatar
May 14, 2024 at 1:40 AM
Thank you so much for the sweet words of 'welcome'. It means so much to me. I appreciate your visit and kind friendship. I'll be grateful for the joy of your words.
Rodgers Avatar
May 13, 2024 at 7:42 AM
Dear Thriveni, What a powerful elegy. The lake as a "landmark" turned lifeless speaks volumes. The imagery of the "frozen body" as a "keepsake" is chilling. Your poem wonderfully highlights the callousness behind the destruction. The tourist reaction to a "fire and froth" show is infuriating, starkly contrasting the true tragedy. I also loved how the crow's ambiguity adds a layer of mystery - is it a witness or a mourner? The poem leaves a heavy weight, urging action. - Blessings, Daniel
mysore Avatar
May 14, 2024 at 1:35 AM
Thank you for your kind visit sir, I very much appreciate your thoughts on this poem. I remain grateful for your blessings.
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