A voice I heard, in the early hours of dawn…

a young voice….with so much pain…

Yes, it said ….but I am so lonely and tired…

my journey has just begun…

I have miles to go before I can rest in the bay….and be carried across

to unknown depths and destinations.

I am asphyxiated, no oxygen in my stream.

My companions are dead or dying…

those who followed me down… from my place of birth…

and as they grow older ..and want to swim up to where thay were born …

to rest in peace…for ever.. as, was their destiny……

But no, that was not to be…. they are not there…gone

Much before their time….oh!! But it disturbs me so ….

Yes it is my destiny.. to serve all.. regardless...

But I cant see it all destroyed.

My journey has just begun….and so much sorrow…!!

Yes, I am Yamuna.

No don't fret for me.

I pray, not for my self but for you.

Forgive them lord, for they know not what they do.

Yes Friends, this is the state of our eco-system,

Drowned in the scourge of polythene,

The apathy of officials and politicians,

The illiteracy of our people,

Their lack of awareness…Of the importance of ecology,

And the need for cleanliness

My Daughter Arushi’s ……Dream Taj Mahal...!!

An Inverted picture of the reflection of The Taj Mahal in the muddy stagnant waters of the once mighty Yamuna.

Written, Photographed and compiled by : Atul Gupta