Rivers Falling
Storm unleashed at the feet of God
His abode, submerged under nature’s wrath
That morning as the Queen peeped out from window
She glimpsed at the havoc caused
My heart cannot bear the pain of hunger, death and disease
Rivers falling from sky has plunged me in grief
To relieve the agony she experienced from this calamity
she summoned her advisors for a meeting immediately
Open my coffers; take as much as you need
mobilize all my resources, utilize as many hands as you please
Provide food, clothes, shelter, relief and support to all who need
Before we carry out your command
there are more calculations to meet
Her financial expert put forth his agenda discreetly and at total ease
There are systems in place to deal with situations like these
Every thing is quantified in numbers we deal
The magnitude of disaster our 'experts’ have gauged
Rescue operation is logistically worked out,
zealously with dedication our border forces carry out
Your words I understand
they are reasonable and rational
But it brings no relief to my anxieties and trouble
Will the relief ration on its long trail finally reach the hungry mouths for whom it is entailed; surviving all the squandering and hoarding in between
What will happen to all the broken families
Or to children orphaned and left in alien hands
My heart wrenches when I think of their ends
You need not worry for it often happens
when the Sins on earth exceed limits,
When humans try to usurp His Glory
Gods unleash their unrestrained fury
Her religious advisor put forth his perspective
to sooth her nerves, to lessen her anxieties
Situations like these build solidarity among masses
it is a fertile ground to experiment with ideologies and strike new alliances
We should make the best moves to exploit the situation
Her political advisor eloquently phrased
Surrounded by advisors in silence she stood
Commotion outside equalled the turmoil within
©2013 Pallavi Mahajan
(22)
Reflections on devastation caused by a cloudburst at a pilgrimage site in the Himalayas
