Sunday, April 12, 2009

drumming water

along the raised causeway
leading to the dry river,
dust rose in thick clouds.
a great crescendo of drumming
and screaming rasping horns
seemingly mounted upto the sky

rose out of the misted dust
causing birds to rise
from the distant inlets of the marsh
to watch some sort of dance
near that river, brown and slow
as it was. black and full and fast

green and gentle, it seemed to flow
all of a sudden. a woman from that
mottled crowd fell on her knees-
touching the water reverently
with the tips of her old fingers,
felt a shock, a strange power flow into her

river had returned to give life again.


25 comments:

anthonynorth said...

Water is so vital to those cycles. Nicely expressed.

Gemma Wiseman said...

This almost sounds like a cameo of some ancient legend! Poetically romantic and beautiful!

SandyCarlson said...

Some shocks are joyful, delightful.

Barb said...

Most of us take water for granted, but the thirst lies waiting, to remind us. Beautiful piece.

Sherri B. said...

This was powerfully done...so visual!

Jacqueline Dove said...

One of life's grand saga's, beautifully written. Thanks.

Lorraine said...

You take my breath away with your writing, I read and pause, in awe

sgreerpitt said...

I had not realized that drumming water was part of the Indian tradition. This is really awesome, evoking our primal need for water. Beautiful.

Gilson said...

Oh wow, rich in imagery your words are! Makes me think of those crescendo scenes in movies that leave us all waiting to see what happens next. Powerful!

George S Batty said...

Your choice of subjects and your choice of words are truly beautiful.
You have in you a soul and a heart that sound as one. Thank you for writing and sharing.

Beth P. said...

Oh, yes, gautami--
I feel the dust and the despair and the hope against hope...
And the release of resurrection.

Thank you for this thing of beauty.

keith said...

You paint such a vivid picture here. Awesome.

polona said...

wow, wonderful. one can feel life flowing in with the river

Pam said...

I love the cycle of the river's life that you portrayed so well. From dryness to life!

zoya gautam said...

"the dust and the despair and the hope against hope..."
the struggles of the rivers in india..to survive..

thanks for sharing this..

qualcosa di bello said...

a crescendo that builds to such a serene yet powerful ending

gabrielle said...

Drumming Water moved me deeply.

The imagery is stunning. Deep thirst. A persistent drumming. Calling the living water from its subterranean source. The life giving rhythms pulsing: brown dust turns to black silt turns to green giving. Birds elope their habitat and an old woman kneels at the river.

Thank you for the gift of this poem.

Blessings,

Gabrielle

http://wildgoosescoopsmoon.blogspot.com/

floreta said...

the drumming is a powerful moment.

Quiet Paths said...

What an amazing picture and moment you've captured here. Really quite stunning.

Tumblewords: said...

Mythical and mystical - has such lovely imagery.

Anonymous said...

I like, reminds me of an Native American tale.

Tammie Lee said...

wonderful poem~
I so enjoyed the ending!

Jim said...

From dry and empty to full and fast, I'd touch too. I am hoping that some of the others from the mottled crowd would as well.
That's all the better I can respond, your poem is overwhelming me. :-)
..

Maggie said...

Water is a vital part of life and all living things.

I enjoyed the read.

Amias (ljm and liquidplastic) said...

I was told by my grandmother that when God touch you, you will know it. Good read.