At Lal Dighi

 

‘Is this what we came to see?’

I was disappointed -

Summer’s algae floated

On the lake,

The city’s grime

Reflected in the still waters.

 

‘Shyaola dighi,’ I humored

‘Not Lal Dighi.’

But despite the dirt,

You point to a corner

Where the water still reflects

The steeple of Andrew’s Kirk

 

‘Look around again –

If you can see beyond the trees,

Writers Building, St Johns

Look the GPO’s dome,

There the Governor’s House

The High Court…

 

‘Don’t you see,

This is no lake

But a watery heart

Of Imperial City,

The eye of Empire

This is where the Colony dreamt…

 

Lal Dighi stares quietly back –

Thunder – A nor’wester begins to brew

The lake will revive,

Just like an old city

While we chroniclers

Rush for shelter..

 

07 September 2026