TO FETCH A PAIL OF WATER…
written by: K. RADHAKRISHNAN
Not so lucky as nursery rhyme famous Jack and Jill,
To be recited worldwide for their feat of climbing a small hill,
To fetch some water in just one small wooden pail,
For many, it is not a fairy tale, but full of wails,
She walks miles to get two pots of potable water,
It’s her only mission, no moment to ponder,
Plunging down wells to quench the thirsty throats,
Water wife, married only to carry water, not one to dote
Barefoot in scorching heat over jagged terrain,
Getting splinters on soles and some nasty sprains,
Even death of husband will not brim her eyes with tears,
Earthen pot of water should be intact, that is her worst fear.
Life is a battle, fought for not kingdom but for a pot water,
Climate has turned hotter but she is the trotter for water,
For us, a glass of water is only within hands reach,
For her, it is miles away, for that to God she’ll beseech.
Unless Jacks and Jills of our society conserve water,
They go up the hill to find there is no element called water,
Unless humans think of ways to preserve the water,
Nothing will be left to quench thirst, a total disaster.
Washing our cars, we let lots to go down the drain,
“Not our problem,” we say and blame at the truant rain,
Water is a boon, without it, none can survive,
It is life’s matrix, the fluid essential for us to thrive.
© K.Radhakrishnan
- Wanderers - October 10, 2022
- A Ukrainian Refugee Child - April 5, 2022
- SOLAH SHRINGAR - January 25, 2022
