The Rupnarayan

Beneath an overcast afternoon sky,

Flows the Rupnarayan-

Placid, content and self-contained.

It's soft waves lapping against the embankment,

The thick foliage of Khirish tree casting shadows over it's surface,

Unperturbed- flows the Rupnarayan.

This vast stretch of water of the Rupnarayan,

This overcast August sky,

This sliver of sunlight sneaking off every now and then,

These rows of casuarina trees flanking the river,

These boats sailing idly,

With their prows painted like human eye,

And this endless flow of water from time immemorial-

Together they make this dying planet worth-living.

© 2018. Swagata Tarafdar. All rights reserved.


*The Rupnarayan River is a river in India. It has joined the Hoogli River. The river also passes through Howrah district. The picture here is taken in Gadiara, Howrah by me.