The River Calls Me Poem by Savita Tyagi

In the hours of dusty afternoon when the water is cold and crystal clear
The river calls me.
On the sun baked land the banyan tree stands alone in silent meditation.
Like a mother it seems happy to have some quiet time to itself.
Soon the noisy birds will return in its lap to claim their place for the night's rest.
Till then it enjoys in solitude its affinity with river.
On the other side of river long green sugarcane leaves dance with soft breeze.
Farmers have left the field for afternoon siesta.
The tree, the sugar cane and I, all are happy to be alone.
Sitting under the tree I watch the water hitting its raised roots,
Restless and agitated as a disturbed mind.
But at distance afar river water looks as calm and translucent as the thoughts of a yogi, Enveloping my mind with its tranquility.
I raise my sari* to my knees and walk slowly in the water.
In the waist deep water the sari cloth spreads like a balloon around me,
Ready to take me on some magical journey.
I make circles in water and hold the cold water in my hands,
Only to watch it drain from my cupped hands.
Here nothing is mine to hold yet every thing is mine for the moment.
I take few steps to sink deep in water to vanish somewhere into its vastness.
The force of water throws me up.
The river laughs-
Lay no claim to the yonder!
For fear of unknown I go no further.
My feet loose the grip of sandy bottom to let me float on the surface.
The cold water takes away all my tensions.
It makes me feel like a child finding joy in its surroundings.
How long I stayed in water- I don't know.
Time the creation of movement lost its value for a while.
Oblivious to the world below, the master of life's rhythm
Moves forward in its westward journey, spreading its' orange glow in the sky.
It must be following a higher command.
Rested and rejuvenated I come out of water.
As I walk towards home holding my wet sari
I watch my sand covered feet leaving some impressions on sandy soil
Knowing fully that in due time my faint footprints shall disappear.

*Note - Sari is an attire of women in India and many south east Asian nations.