The Enchanted River

By Simran Malhotra

Gushing and treading

You hear the current

In awe of her grace you approach with caution

Ankle deep in frozen water part of you awakens

The rest of you is trying to stay stable

Feeling along the mossy jagged rocks

For pockets of sand

The current is strong

It carries in its breadth the power to move boulders

The pristine water cleanses even the ash

Her presence is enough to give you the chills

Bow down to her and you will submit

She flows from the destroyer

Like him she stays calm but deadly

Millions of souls she carries

Every morning and every evening

They sing her praises

Offer her flowers, prayers, love

Sometimes even themselves to be cleansed

The selfishness of man to absolve his karmic debt

Flowing on she doesn’t stop

Even the sins she absorbs can’t slow her down

She carries the heaviest burden

With ashes come tears

With flowers come thorns

With cleansing comes dirt

Maybe that’s why she can’t stop

Does any place hold the power to bear what she carries?

By Simran Malhotra