A sacred river
Drenches men on a moonlit afternoon
Its waters defiled by prayers
That seek redemption from empty lives,
Weary eyes.
Uncouth bodies carrying uncouth bodies
Float upon shifting tides
Churning the squalor that thrives beneath.
The opaque water-face belie depths
Where souls are melted everyday
And phoenixes drowned.
The setting sun sinks
Shining darkly against a sky in squall
Impending grief spills its ominous prophecy.
Man faces east, ignoring the signs
Disappearing into whispered words of parting
And farewell.
Author notes
Written July 2nd, 2006. For the mourners pouring ashes of the dead into the ganga.
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