The Load — Abnish Singh Chauhan

Ramua1, like an ox,
carries the load,
day and night,
to keep his loved ones fed.

Borrowing grows
with each passing day,
and each morning,
the lenders arrive
at his tattered door,
their flaring nostrils
become thick with demands.
He seeks a way
to ease his burden,
but knows not how to begin.

He often encounters those,
who are without boats,
gathered by the river of life—
how far can he go with them,
in a river so vast—
a river of misery,
a tide of pain,
pulling the helpless
from the shore?

***




Footnote:
1. Ramua: A person’s name.