Bhagiratha’s Bounty and Other poems-19

English Translation: T.S. Chandra Mouli

Telugu Original : Kandukuri Sreeramulu 

19. Snapped Strings

Walking
across a dry lake
needs no magic.

When it was brimming with water
to stand
on the island like land
all swimmers competed.

Where is it?
Expansive lake like green fields
where is it?

A dry lake is
like broken bottle gourd shell
of a hungry beggar.
Circular tortoise looked like planets
lovely fish akin to stars
soft moss was like clouds
croaks of frogs rumbled like thunder.

Such a large family
looked regal in splendour,
to look at that wide eyed wonder
that rivalled the sky
where is the lovely lake?

As a rainbow disappears
bund on lake vanished.

Like sprinkling water on mirror
patter of rain on earth, where is it?

Tell me
who snapped strings of rain
a musical harmony
connecting earth and sky?

Who spoiled
glorious melodious bond?

Platform for performance
my brimming lake
sluice of ‘dhamaruka’
my bursting lake
drum beat that spilled over bunds
my overflowing lake!

Walking across
lake that turned empty
who relishes?

I wish to see the brimming lake
that looks like breast milk of
a neo natal mother feeding hungry infant.
Just show me where it exists
I will be your child in next birth
to redeem myself!

*****

(To be continued-)

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