A cluster of grey, water-ladden
Clouds came drifting
Along with the somewhat strong wind,
Hid the Sun
And sent down showers
Of unexpected raindrops beneath
On the cold, gently flowing waters
Of the Manas River,
Which border
The Manas National Park –
A jungle of tall, wild grass
Stretching miles together –
And which separate
India and Bhutan.
We – a group of tourists,
On our way
To the opposite bank
Were nearly mid-way,
When my parents’ old wedding shawl
Had to be held raised
As a lame shelter
Against the unforeseen, wettening showers.
The sudden downpour
Was not to last long.
The showering clouds drifted away
And glowing sun-shine made way
Thro’ the washed, moist air
And lo !
There appeared
Bridging the two never-meeting shores
And the two alien People
A colourful rainbow !
A rare sight of beauty –
Viewed unblinkingly
From the boat below –
It lasted for a short while
And left indelible marks
Of cherished moments in our memories,
Which whenever recalled,
Give the everlasting Joy of Beauty,
And the divine message of Unity
That Nature is free from
Man-made notions of boundary.
