On the Death of a River Does a river die? No, it doesn't, it gets killed. A man who talked to the river Played with the river Is running in quest of the river Hoping for an encounter with the river Someday somewhere. Carrying an ocean of sorrows within The river is flowing In an unknown land Getting reduced to a thin rivulet. The runner stopped and picked up a pebble That blocked the stream It was really heavy in the dream. Once the sun bathed in the river before setting down Delayed for a while Swimming in the shining waters And now it hides its face Going down the hill Without even stealing a glance Of the dying stream.
Translated by Ananda Bormudoi
Jiten Bhuyan is a writer, poet and retired veterinary Doctor based in Guwahati.