Cry Of A Dying River...94

   Rajendra Kshetri

I am no longer the river I was once
The river known by different names at different places
Telling tales of hidden untold stories
The 'Abulok ' joined by the 'Irung ' stream at the source
Forming the pristine confluence point
Then began the riverine journey as 'Kangchup' river
Flowing down through and caressing the Taothong village
The river that nestles awhile at Iroisemba
Whistling the wind for a rendezvous with 'Luwanglee ' -the 'Iroisemba Irong '
Thus was born a sacred shrine at the confluence point.

I am no longer the river I was once
The river that began its journey as 'Nambul '
From 'Iroisemba Irong ' -a gift of the streams
A holy confluence where people once upon a time
Used to take sacred dip
On way back home in the wee hours
Having been blessed by Ibudhou Nongmaiching
The river sublime that sublimates
The river holy that symbolises the cultural landscape
Of the once-upon-a-time a Sovereign Kingdom.