by M G Vassanji

THE RIVER

The river’s a wanderer,
A nomad, a tramp.

He doesn't choose any one place

To set up his camp.

The river’s a winder,

Through valley and hill

He twists and he turns,

He just cannot be still.

The river’s a hoarder,

And he buries down deep

Those little treasures

That he wants to keep.

The river’s a baby,

He gurgles and hums,

And sounds like he’s happily

Sucking his thumbs.

The river’s a singer,

As he dances along,

The countryside echoes

The notes of his song.

The river’s a monster,

Hungry and vexed,

He’s gobbled up trees

                                                       And he’ll swallow you next
Synopsis of the poem

The River is about the many faces of a river.  The river is a wanderer where he moves all over the place.  He does not sit still and is always in motion.  He is also a winder where he twists and turns.  He meanders.  He  is  also a hoarder where  he  keeps  things  deep  down in  his  river bed.  Sometimes, he is a baby when he is happily flowing along. At times, he is a singer as seen through the happy sounds of the water.  Finally, he is also a monster and can devour trees (most probably referring to a flood).