The twilight hues

by Ravi Panamanna
(Palakkad, Kerala State, India)

A TRAIN ACCIDENT AT KADALUNDI RIVER, KERALA, INDIA FOR THE MANGALORE-CHENNAI MAIL, SEVERAL YEARS AGO. AFTER THE RESTORATION OF THE BRIDGE, THE ILL FATED DRIVER TAKES HIS MAIDEN RUN. WHAT ALL THOUGHTS MIGHT NOT HAVE GONE THROUGH HIS MIND....! The following poem is based on the paper report.


As the train approaches the bridge
The driver, out of his cabin
Passeth a glance unto the river
And deep within closes his eyes.

Boundless he weeps, prays in whispering tones
And casts an eye over the passing clouds.
The rains are now over, it is twilight,
He listens to the tale of the passing wind.

Upon the bridge he stoppeth the train,
For a moment returns to himself and that rueful eve’.
Upon the waters he showers flowers
And in deepening sighs prays for the departed souls.

And his thoughts fly back, sees that eve’,
Listens to the howling wind, sees rainy hours.
He was at the helm, the destined driver-
To be among a tragedy and disastrous scenes.

Now, as the train passeth over the bridge
He, from his cabin views the gorgeous river.
Beyond all ripples and whirls
The twilight hues are as silent as his very heart.