Just now came across Palani Bharathi’s Tamil poem Cauvery. Moved by the power of his poem , was inspired to try an English version of it.

Cauvery

With little or no aid from my parched lips, my thirsty throat futilely squeal…

At a distance she lies totally dry life  just ebbing out of her.

Cauvery.

Hungry white winged visitors peck vigorously at her barren sand hills in vain

Just become dirty  and flee with the stains

The stretch marks on her waist are smothered by fresh cruel nail marks

oozing blood.

Her clothes woven by once-upon-a-time happy fish are torn laying bare her hitherto unseen thighs.

After grasping the air in a helpless struggle lay strewn her anklets that have lost their voice.

The hot vapours that ascend from her body drenched in heat become pregnant with dark rain

Wander  impatiently here and there all the while

Transforming itself into a cataclysmic storm that is bent on destroying all barricades.