Cherished Evenings

Cherished Evenings

Cherish I. from my heart’s abyss
the evenings of pleasure and bliss
dating them back seven decades past
when its spell, urbanity had not cast
that for hours our river bank had lent
robbed off by the civilization, present.
While searching for ways to happily stay
Man disturbs the symphony of His play
disrupting the environment and ecology
with his so-called ingenuity in technology.
Born and brought up on a riverbank
slept on her sand, her water I drank
played in her water bed, quiet or turbulent
at times muddy, at times blue, transparent
since my early childhood till I parted her
in quest of happiness, seeking a career.
No bridge was built then across the river
Boats were the usual mode to cross it over
with no motor vehicles on the run
no pollutants, no noise pollution
with no electricity to disturb nature,
played merrily under the darkness’ cover
birds and animals throughout the night
now made extinct by electric light.
With a serene and scenic atmosphere
she brought to a gloomy heart, cheer

Swells in furry, the river in the rain
bringing to the same plane
her both banks and her bed
while surging to the ocean ahead.
Miles, boats, the boatmen had to row
countering the strong current flow
sailing across sea-deep stormy water
to cross from one bank to the other.
In the lean season of the year
with two streams of water, clear
a sandy land in between to tread,
two boats are used to cross her bed.
Over the seasons, over the day
wonderful was her scenic display
varying with her flow, her sound
in symphony as the musical background
the sound of birds, and animals around
wind on trees sweetening the sound.
Radiating rays of the color crimson
behind the horizon, sets the sun
reflecting in wavy flowing water
appearing as a picturesque wonder
with fragmented rubies of glittering colors
every onlooker’s heart, it captures.

To gaze at such beauty
with a feeling of serenity
while listening to music, sweet
as undisturbed nature’s treat
onlooker gets joy rapturous
forgets his earthly worries, vicious..
The birds in a flock flying at the sunset
following a leader in a format set
teaches man discipline in coexistence
a thrilling sight to viewers’ pleasances.
under the darkness’ cover
hawkings of jackals together,
the pathos in passerby’s call
appealing the boatman, him to haul
to his home across the river
before the boats, they anchor,
hejackale’s harrowing sound
on the bank; the cremation ground
with the pyres on the burning fuels
inbreeds the fear of ghosts and ghouls
frighten the brave forcing him to pray
a thrill to reflect on and enjoy even today.
Sweating throughout the day
toiling with dirt filth and clay
from the field on their return
a river bathe village farmers yearn
an hour-long bath in river water
to get relief from the tension of labor
Most of them carry traps to catch fishes
to have in their dinners fish as side dishes
a kerosene lamp each, they carry
as it blinds the fish that cannot flee.
For miles along the banks of the river
these lights under darkness cover
appears as a gold necklace around her
in me the scenic beauty ever glitter
a memory to cherish for pleasure
I often reflect on this treasure.
At dusk the cows' run
with calves, for their union
after a day-long separation
is a unique joy, on contemplation.
on the sandy land in the riverbed
the cattle grazer’s protective shed
from stormy rain giving him relief
were then only made of palm leaf.
My recollections when I starch
infinite such pearls these fetch
beyond human limits to touch all
here breed bliss and peace worries fall.
Just to touch upon a few
for further explorations by you
the hide and seek play
moon in the night sun in the day
both together in some evenings
when floating cloud swings
the evening chore of woman folk
their tension-relieving gossip and talk
playing children shouting at their highest pitch
running away before dark because of a witch
a fleeting bird snatching a fish from the water
deserves a watch for its skill and craft super.
An evening on our riverbank
treasure the best in life I rank.
Her sonic melody scenic beauty
available at the evening in bounty
the thrill of furies of flood severe
the frightening sight and sound we fear
renders joy even today only on reflection
for many hours dispelling the old ag the tension.

P K Routray
In the service of the Lord
( N. B I was born and brought up in a rural village on the bank of the river Mahanadi IN Odisha)