Sqn Ldr D C Lath

The Synthesizer

Under the sweltering heat, on the sands of 'Swan',
Around four decades back,
We walked briskly on toes on the hot sand-
It was hot indeed.
Rushing on to the balmy waters of 'Swan'
flowing for ages,
Swollen like a river in monsoons
and raging like a monster
Eager to devour anything in its maddening ferocity,
And again cool and docile after the rage was over.

To us children, 'Swan' was a mystery,
an enchantment and an adventure.
We rushed to 'Swan' from down the steep hill
through its myriad paths-
hopping like jungle goats- eager to get into the waters,
Splashing, jumping, floating in knee-deep water
or making castles by the side of water.
It was soothing and ecstatic.

Years after, my children fell in love with 'Swan'.
I could discern in their bright faces
the joy, the frolic and fun,
Whenever they landed in the bosom of 'Swan'.
Again, they splashed around, made castles
and sought joy, the way we did.
To me 'Swan' has been a source of eternal joy
Even now I crave to merge myself in its balmy waters.
Miraculously, the past and present synthesize
to form a unity in diversity.
This could only be in the balmy waters of 'Swan'