The Riverbank: A Poem by Jayashree Bhattacherjee

Below flowed quickly the clear water, above sat the monk on the riverbank

Watching the dazzling Western sky, as beyond the horizon the sun sank

Red, orange, pink, and gold turned the evening sky into a painted canvas

Playfully the rays danced off the shimmering surfaces of the river, so gracious

Sitting alone he was thinking of meditating in a place so serene and calm

Suddenly someone tiptoed to the bank and into the river she did jump

The monk dived into the river with frantic haste

How could he let a human life go to such a waste?

He reached down, caught hold of the outstretched hand, pulled her up

Laid her down on the bank saving her from the river rough

The lassie opened her eyes and said," I'm a fallen flower, fallen from grace

Begrimed 'n bemired, I have no place to hide my face".

He said, "My child, silently sit on the bank for some time and watch the deep murmuring river

Though struggling through twists and turns, it flows forever

Make your life like a river, move ahead, never look back

Shake the dust off your feet, you've done no wrong, nothing you lack

I know your grief is like a river, let it flow

But you yourself determine where the banks will go."

Said she, "Grateful I'm to you, yes, grief's river is a process of relinquishing the past

Now by swimming in hope's channel, I believe someday I'll reach the shore at last ".