Ganga Jal-- a Poem

[Guest guest]

I found this on the Net. I don't know who wrote it.

 

Ganga-Jal

 

1

 

Makarand got me Ganga-jal

from Rishikesh:

After a quarrel I returned it

 

Today Makarand's life in Hyderabad ended

With a mat, a pillow, a linen basket

He left Ganga-jal for me.

 

I swiped it.

 

2

 

At the three-star coffeeshop

Srinu stands reverently

with the Ganga-jal in his hands

 

I see his hotel-steward uniform

against which the small sealed copper-pot stands

 

I feel tears come to my eyes

Seeing India changed and unchanging

 

3

 

My Hindu neighbour, a sociologist

Says: Ganga-jal is given just before death --

 

I hope it is the death of the burning ego

for me (and Srinu) in our friendship.