Ode To A Dying River Poem by Payoor Gopalan Kutty

Oh Mighty River! Tell me what ails you

It makes me so sad to see you like this…

When it rains in mighty mountains

Your roar through gorges were heard afar

Now you moan like an old lady in distress.

Oh Mighty River! Tell me what ails you

It makes me feel so sad to see you like this…

When it rains in mighty mountains

You were flowing full and majestic

Now you look so famished and weak

That I can see many islands in the midst.

Oh Mighty River! Tell me what ails you

It makes me feel so sad to see you like this…

When the rain stopped in mountains

When the moon rose in full bloom

You were so serene and sensuous

Filling us with pleasure and poems.

Now when the rain stops in the mountains

You flow like tears of a sad child

And when the moon rise in full bloom

All I can hear is your sad whimper

When the fierce summer sun baked us

You were still a source of solace

To wash the tired limbs and drink

For many thirsty souls that flocked.

Now when the fierce summer bake us

I can just walk across your bosom

All I see is a desert landscape

With not a drop to quench my thirst.

Oh Mighty River! Tell me what ails you

What happened to the myriads of fishes

That swam and played hide and seek

Now all I see is death and dismay

As they litter your shallow banks.

Oh Mighty River! Tell me what ails you

The water so clear one could see the face

Now is littered with plastics and filth.

Oh Mighty River! Tell me what ails you

I feel so sad to see you like this...