My three poems on 'Banares' appear on Sybil Journal, June 2023

'Banares', by Prof. R.K. Singh

JUNE 6, 2023

1

The Ganges condescended
to flow down from Shiva's matted hair
with white laughter
from the Himalayas to Kashi
it shone so pure and bright
but failed to quench
the earthly thirst
or cleanse the human heart
their sinful mind
the goddess couldn't change
I clearly see in its apparent grace
missing all turbulence
so necessary to wash out
the ills of ages it seems
it's lifeless now
impotent to set right
the rotten state of man

2

Young girls and women move up and down
in the boat standing on the river bank
they carry sand for their bread
and fling down the basket, sun smoulders

men sit on the terrace and smoke hashish at noon
crack private jokes, watch sullen grace
the drowsy river flows with the city's garbage

3

The river flows through woods
in Banares for centuries
down this terrace
washes ills and hides sins
in her ripples reflects
the eternity they love
the myth of heaven and salvation
each morning my father repeats
celestial history while his son
breaks off the golden bough
and acts Rex Nemorensis
without fighting the priest

4

Banares
seems holier at night
mating dogs and bitches
join pundits
in the name of religion
their meditation
adds noise
no one will admit
I am no god
if it doesn't nettle
the divine rest

it kills my peace

https://www.sybiljournal.com/work-2/2023/6/6/banares-by-prof-rk-singh

From My Silence (1985)