River flows from the north to the south, to the sea it melts
on its way, villages submerge
soft new land forms again
with a dream of a good harvest
mud smeared
water drenched islander dreams once again of a good harvest

Sun grasses grow to their full length, tall and shiny
mynah birds scream
pierce the silence of a perfect late afternoon

Clouds for companionship, love for the wind
fishing boats set sails, colour drops in the horizon
of hope
red-yellow, blue & green

River, hopelessly unpredictable, changes direction
erodes banks
devours happy homes
plantation and gardens, crop fields

Leaves behind alluvial soil
mark of an endless new beginning

To know this land of ours, to feel the rhythm of the water
one has to go to the river

Mahmud
Shukherbati Char / Island of a happy home
Kurigram 2004