The River

Part 1 - The Night

A silent night, a silver moon

Delhi's heart, had ceased it's tune.

Empty road, my headlamps shone,

What was late? I lived alone.

Father died, in a Himalayan war.

Mother grieved, till could no more.

But I denied my traditional fate,

Sought instead workload late.

In the distance I saw the glimmer,

Waters of the Yamuna river.

I was tired, I did not see,

A shadow darted, startling me.

At once I slammed the brakes.

Skidded halt and took to shakes.

Once I calmed, my racing heart

I found my engine, would not start.

My phone was blank, battery dead.

No shelter here, far from bed.

No homes here, no warm light.

No helping hands, on lonely night.

But would, my fathers mark,

Me a fool, for balking dark?

In myself, I must trust,

Walking home, if I must.

What was that, shadow dark?

Cold street light, old tree bark.

What was that, whispering sigh?

Just the wind, refused to die.

On I walked, weary work,

Trudging through, gloomy murk.

My path wound, seemed forever

Leading across, the Yamuna river.

Once many loved, now far fewer,

Once teaming life, now open sewer.

This river's diminished part,

Reflected Delhi's shrunken heart.

Then the heavens tore asunder

Raining down with rolling thunder.

For refuge from the coming storm,

I ran to, the bridge's looming form.

Rusting girders, filthy trash,

Offering flowers, pyre ash.

How long would, I wait this trap?

How long would, the raindrops rap?

The rain's drum, the wind's howl,

Behind I heard, a vicious growl.

Half dozen dogs, a pack, snarled.

Their leader strong, black and gnarled.

It held my eye, did not shake

Deep inside, I felt a quake.

Its intent, it would not pause.

Those red eyes, those hungry jaws.

I looked left, I looked right,

No escape here, no path in sight.

I knew then, they smelt my fright.

What I would, to leave this night.

The hounds bayed, sensing blood,

I stepped back, stuck in mud.

A chill wind, a moan to my right,

Dogs were ears down, in startled fright.

Tucking their tails, they ran with cry.

I eased my shoulders, gave a sigh.

Then to my right, I could but stare

A white clad woman, standing there.

Her black tresses in long braid

She came to me and she said,

“Greetings, why do you shiver?

This lonely night, by my river?”

Part 2 - The Tale

“Sister” folded hands I said,

“Thanks to you. These dogs have fled.

I was just caught walking home,

Seeking shelter from this storm.

You are bold to help me here.

Brave too, you showed no fear.”

“Those curs!” Her laughter cracked,

“Oh, I am long past caring that.”

“But you are young, by your face

How did you come, to this place?”

“Where else?” Said she, “at death's end”

I was shocked, I did comprehend.

Could I truly, believe my sight?

Where had I, strayed this night?

My throat was dry, pulse did race.

My strain did show, on my face.

The spirit saw my sorry state

On she came with patient gait.

“Dear friend, fear no guile,

Only stay with me awhile.

It is lonely to walk forever,

On the banks of this great river.”

What should I say, or shout

At length, I babbled out,

“Lady, I am grateful, that you came

But tell me first, your true name.”

“No lady I” said she, “Just a maid.

But once Madhumati, my name was said.

But that was long ago if ever.

When my village lay on this river.”

“Madhumati, what is your pain?

Why do you haunt this plane?”

“Father, mother, sister had I

No ails troubled, our clear sky.

In our time, we saw Indraprastha glitter

When we plied this great river.

Then war made our Earth tremor.

When chariots raced by this river.

The sun shone, our good king came,

Loud and great was his fame.

His arm strong, his honour known

His wisdom, care he had shown.

New turban adorned father's head,

My mother wore, her golden thread.

We loved him and so were gay,

When he rose and spoke that day.

My people all, hear me speak,

Strengthen heart and be not meek.

For far too long, we have borne,

Cursed Duryodhana’s wretched scorn.

Give me your men so I may fight

Show the Kaurav, our true might.

Give me your wealth so I may pay,

Shields and arms to ease our way.

Today we march to eternal fame

We go to war in Dharma's name.

We gave cheer, we gave shout.

There was stirring, all about.

Save one ancient withered crone.

Who spat, cried and gave a groan.

Fools, has this happened before?

Know you not, you welcome war?

But her words, we did not hear.

As she was yet, to prove a seer.

Then came that evil day

When the Kaurav, came our way.

The crimson sun, on river sank

While I idled, on its bank.

Mind wandering, on distant scene

A boy’s smile, a love’s dream.

Dogs barked, they knew the smell,

But we were tired and couldn't tell.

By when we learnt, it was too near.

The dogs were gone, the wolves were here.

At first their horses, sparked no fears.

But then the cries came to me ears.

Slowly I felt the panic grow

I ran home, father must know.

But I was late to warn this flood,

My parents lay in pools of blood.

Aghast I stood, was this dream?

From next room, a strangled scream.

When I looked through the open door.

My sister cried naked on the floor.

A figure above, pinned her frame

Laughing at, her tears of shame.

Looking at me, he gave a leer

His words, “little bird, Come near!”

My heart raged, but my feet ran

To Gods I asked help from man.

But once past that temple gate,

I saw horrors more, lay await.

On sanctum floor, with features paled,

Lay our old priest, on spear impaled.

His idols now all stripped bare,

All those years of wasted care.

How I ran where I stumbled,

Thoughts confused, memory jumbled.

Ahead, pregnant woman, torn apart.

Beside me flew, a flaming dart,

All these years, when I recall,

My guts clench and features pall.

Those cries! Those awful yells!

Those pervading wicked smells!

All was gone, the world seemed slow,

I wandered lost, to waters flow.

The air was rent with screams of pain

Darkened skies, still smoke did stain.

Then behind me, a voice came,

“Well look here, a fresh new game!”

My chest heaved, but I still flew,

To the waters’ edge I drew.

My mind aflame, my nerves aquiver.

My life, I threw into the river.

As my eyes, began to darken,

My childish heart, began to harden.

Leave such evil, I would never

I would wait, by this river.

Nights I ranged, my lonely rounds

Till one time, those furtive sounds.

Those cruel faces again I saw,

Panting, fleeing, from victor’s paw.

They cut branches and built a raft

Set out, trusting lives on flimsy craft.

Once moonlight peeked behind cloud

One face was lit, free from shroud.

No laughter now, his features changed

No lecherous looks, but fear ranged.

At last, my prey the gods deliver,

I stalked their raft down the river.

The dark night, they drifted blind,

Like their king, no succour find.

Lost, alone, they turned to prayer

Of Gods they stole, begged of care.

Here a loving father, there a son

All claimed virtues, every one.

I knew, and cared not what was said,

From the mists, I emerged ahead.

Then he saw, and he showed fear.

Still I came and whispered near.

“Your bird is here to build her nest”

I plunged my arms, into his breast.

There I avenged my sister's shame,

His screams rang out, just the same.

The others all, trembled in terror,

Leapt shouting, into that river.

Their bodies fell, the waters drank

None made the safety, of the bank.

That night I fed my suffering pang,

Blood and vengeance, my heart sang.

Hatred of Kuru, I kept forever,

Long as I dwelt, on this river.

So much time, has since passed

Yet some evils, ever last.

Again, again, all through time,

I have seen, the same vile crime.

Age comes, age goes, this all know,

Those who take, crush those who sow.

The cry of havoc is always dread,

Come coats of mail or coats of red.

Now, from lofty Himalayan tops,

Through long and perilous drops.

Down through plains, on it flees,

To merge itself with salty seas.

It's companion, I am forever

As I walk by unending river.

Long and far, wide I roam,

Seeking solace without a home.

Cursed am I to go forever,

Never straying from, this cruel river."

Part 3 - Betrayal

My eyes were wet, by her tale

Her words moved, they could not fail.

She knew well, how I would bend,

I was hers’ to call or send.

“Madhumati, you saw night,

How may I ease your plight?”

Grateful smile with fiery eye,

She gave me, a longing sigh.

About us, all was still,

Down my spine, why this chill?

“Dear one, I trust you well,”

About me, she cast her spell.

She came pleading yet bold,

Her breath was rose and marigold.

“Beneath that tree, lie coins of gold.

Take and offer them, to gods of old.

May they pity me, and save forever,

My soul from, this tormenting river.

Sweet boy, do me this one task.

Of whom else, can ever I ask?”

The rain beat fierce on my brow

The time to act was coming now.

All hesitation I shook free,

I walked firmly to that tree.

Though behind I could not see

On my back, eyes followed me.

To save myself, I should dash,

Then above, a lightening flash.

No gold it showed under there,

But an upturned dagger bare.

Sharp and cruel was it's blade,

Tip shining, poison weighed.

I whipped around, shocked betrayal

What I saw, made me pale.

No girl there, wicked crone now

Evil schemes across her brow.

Her face cruel, her mask had rip,

My heart stopped, in icy grip.

Her eyes held rage, filled my terror,

We faced each other, at that river.

To me, she raised an withered claw,

Her voice was hoarse, vile and raw.

“Wretch!” she cried, “your blood I smell

Though eons later, I can tell,

You are of the Kuru race.

Of your kind, I'll leave no trace.”

With her curses my ears rang,

Like a tigress, on me she sprang.

I ran through bush and thorn,

Behind, her words dripping scorn.

On she raged, her voice aquiver,

As I flew, from that river.

Where I went, I can't remember

Till her screams, a distant ember.

Tripped, fell and knew no more.

Till I woke at morning's dawn

Weary eyed and features drawn.

On I ran, for shelter’s door,

Where was I? I did wonder?

Far at least, from that river.

The rain had passed to morning dew,

Night's horror gone, a day anew.

Home I reached, sweet sanctuary.

Safe at last from all adversary.

On my back, many cuts I saw

What was thorn, what was claw?

Many nights when I lie dreaming,

Rustle wakens, and I rise screaming.

When I recall, I still shiver,

As I see, that fearsome river.

Madhumati's form, my mind still haunts,

My ear yet, her voice still taunts.

More than this I cannot say,

Does that vengeance stalk this day?

Will she haunt forever and ever,

On the banks of that dread river.