Feeling for the winds of yore <br />The old man glanced at the fabulous river. <br />Sitting under the shades <br />He screwed up his beard in reflection. <br /> <br />And it was a silent march of decades, <br />A parade of seasons upon his chest. <br />And into the winds and rains of his past <br />He steered his ferry; memories ever green. <br /> <br />These banks were his cradle <br />These waters were his contented life. <br />From the age of eight to eighty three <br />This ferry was synonym of his life. <br /> <br />And across these banks <br />He ferried his pastures and dreams. <br />Upon these waters and winds of yore <br />He left a tale for the passing clouds. <br /> <br />Within the winds and the winding courses <br />He met his life with all affections. <br />Beyond these hamlets, these surging waters <br />He steered not his ferry and dreams. <br /> <br />Downstream a mile away <br />Hammers were already at work- <br />A dam was coming, <br />Roots were disappearing.. <br /> <br />Hamlets began moving upstream, <br />Houses dismantled, carried upon shoulders. <br />There- in front of his old courtyard <br />He sat looking at the disappearing scenes. <br /> <br />Wooden walls began to creek, <br />The gambrel roof opened to howling winds. <br />And listening to the waters of yore <br />He slowly descended the steps. <br /> <br />Beyond the endless splash <br />It was all an open sky. <br />And within a deepening silence <br />He left his cradle as a legendary traveler.<br /><br />Ravi Panamanna<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-legendary-traveler/
