The Riverbank

By Banani Sikdar

Splendor marvellous, River Nile, turquoise blue, wound its way merry,

Babbling and burbling, sprawling, shaping the sandy shore in unique revelry.

History in liquid flow, Nile, a visual incredible, a rare dream in literal,

Feeling its cool, moist, mystic bank,  a Fairy grant, as though, touching an absorbing fairy-tale.

Chords of shafting dawn lights speared down from above, gifting jewels exorbitant,

A thousand glint of diamonds on the river, an immeasurable carpet of gold on the enbankment.

Fishermen, out in venture, flipping nets for the best catches

Women gathered, fixing, fragile, overused netty patches.

Humming soft tunes, the Fellahin tills the blessed, fertile soil,

Rich crops, mid terrain fruits, in abundance, happy rewards of his toil.

Green walls along the bank, stretched as far as the periferral vision,

A visionary mission accomplished, though cruel Sahara awaits just a few miles hence.

Mechanised boats in frantic speed, maneuvering, human slogans of thrifty trades,

Detailed cruises, like rich burghers, cruised along in tablued parade.

Hot air balloons, in flight, as though chariots of mythological era,

Sights utterly pleasurable, feel utterly novel, awestriking, inexplicable aura.

A matriarch, absorbing blood, sweat and tears of bonded slave labourers,

Had patiently bore too, thumping of mighty, weighty Pharaohic spectres.

A rich inheritance, a constant infinite resource,   wisdom deep down anchored,

A sublime pilgrimage, evocative, inspirational, resilient, calmly disposed.

Bending down, I scooped a hand in the water and drank my fill,

The thirst quenching crystalline, magical liquid, instantaneous, a cleansing, restorative feel.

By Banani Sikdar