The optional prompt this week on Poets And Storytellers United is a "
body of water, real or fictional, that holds a special place in your heart."
The first thing that came to my mind was "Water, water everywhere not a drop to drink."
My father used to say that as is earth, which is three fourth covered with sea and one fourth by land, so is life three fourth submerged in unhappiness and one fourth in joy.
Philosophies of life emerge out of personal experiences. The word water takes me to more practical aspects - the lack of it in the city which compels many posh localities to depend on Municipal Corporation tankers for regular supply.
History tells us that human civilizations birthed around rivers which came to be worshipped as life givers. Centuries later we have been successfull in polluting those waters in the name of industrial growth and technological advancements.
Recently, I came to know that downloading of AI generated photos is also responsible for carbon emission and consumption of substantial quantity of water.
The beautiful picture of serene water in the post reminded me that though we have many tree-lined boulevards and flower decked avenues the city lacks a picturesque water body as touristy spot. But we do have colourful fountains which lit up in the evenings making for very enchanting view.
Now to the verse
Look yonder.
That slim silver line
Once upon a time.
I called it my home.
But the path to it.
Is now no more.
Only a dream to.
Return some day.
To it's cool shade.
Verdant meadows
And a gurgling river
Name unknown
Have I transgressed the word count this time?
Also I may please be forgiven for borrowing the picture from the post which actually triggered so many thoughts.
Since this is my Bangla Blog space below is also given the poem in Bengali which may not be considered as part of response to the prompt.
ওই দ্যাখো !... ওই
রুপোলি রেখার তীরে
ছিল মোর ভিটে
সোনালী স্বপ্ন ঘিরে
আজ সেই পথ
নেই আর বাকি
শুধু এক ফালি
ক্ষীণ আশা রাখি
কোনো দিন যদি
যেতে পারি ফিরে
সেই শান্ত ছায়ায়
সবুজ মায়ায়
কুলুকুলু নদীর
নাম না জানা তীরে
