The Floods In Pakistan

The Indus River was raging in an uncontrollable angry outburst;

Its waters ran wild--rampaging in an urgent unquenchable thirst,

It struck in a vicious fury—destroying and devastating all around.

It rushed in furious frenzy-- ruthlessly razing villages to the ground.

Mumtaz watched its water bursting inside her trembling shed,

It sent fingers surreptitiously exploring the table, chairs and bed

One by one it gulped down hungrily cupboard and the wardrobe,

How will she feed the children without her utensils or her “Stove”?

The water had climbed to the roof; they had to sit on the thatch,

 All the money- rattling coins fell off which she could not catch,

 Father took the babe in his arms, Mumtaz held on to the elder son.

 Before she could get a firm hold, he slipped and her son was gone!

“Mummy Jan”! He cried in alarm, his disappearing hand he stretched-

His panic-stricken face in her memory for ever got permanently etched!

“Amma Jan,Amma Jan” resounded poignantly, echoing pitifully in her ear.

 She wanted to jump into the water to end her life, regardless of any fear.

Her two month old emaciated baby wailed with hunger craving for food! 

The hot sun turned her skin into deep crimson, but that was how it stood;

 Baby became dehydrated; her body became listless, limp, lifeless and hot

Like a wilting drooping flower, for three long days it had resolutely fought.

Rahman, her husband said, for some water and food he must arrange;

Mumtaz would get sick if her wet soiled clothes she couldn’t change.

Villagers were dying in numbers from typhoid dysentery and cholera,

Last of his Loved Ones, and most precious, he did not want to lose her.

He knew that the water was infested with scorpions and snake,

But he had to the needful for his precious wife Mumtaz’s sake.

Mumtaz saw him leap and swim towards a distant brick house

But Alas! What unexpected dire tragedy befell her dutiful spouse?

A black glistening cobra entwined itself around him tight;

From afar she could see Rahman putting up a heroic fight.

The reptile must have bitten him for he contorted in pain

He was then speedily sucked in, his struggling was in vain!

Mumtaz stood like a statue; tears rolled down her ashen cheek

This was the time for Nature her vengeance on man to wreak;

The Indus was ecstatic-- in its untrammeled power it glorified.

The unconscious woman fell into the river where she was buried.