River Bath

River Bath

A coat of dirt or filth of sweat
to human health is a threat.
Covers it the body of human beings
arresting hair follicles’ openings.
causing the body temperature to go haywire
to human health,, with a consequence, dire.
Emits it also foul smell
making the life of the man a hell
incites his companions to stay away
despite any amount of scent spray.
That urges man to take a bath
to evade on him all this wrath.
“Bath”, we mean “cleansing the body with water”
either in the bathtub or under the water shower.
Also avails a ma,n luxurious man’s path
such as steam or Sunna or Jaquish bath
or bath by swimming in a swimming pool
where is kept clean by chemical globule.
Bath, by taking dips in a pond or river
In earlier days people used to prefer
Now these baths have been discarded
as there, their health will be affected.
as per them, the quality of water is unhygienic
that will make the bather instantly sick
But reminisce I my river bath in the early days
with friends for hours in the river, the memories blaze.
Keeping breathe under hold we go underwater
competing with friends to decide a winner.
Swim along and against the current of the river
compete for the stretch as our daily pleasure.
Catch fish alone or together with a towel as a net
part it at home for delicious dishes laurels we get.
Underneath the depth of water, prick us fishes
to take away our dirt for their gleeful dishes
it gives us less pain but more pleasure
never we could catch one, there, as they move faster.
Learn we to swim across sallow water
then dare go to deep with a risk factor
diluted by the presence of friends galore
watching and instigating to go far, they roar.
My agony on failing to move from a point in deep water
reminisce I prayed to the Lord for life to other's laughter.
but one of them managed me to swim to shallow water
the reeling of my head then later I did ignore
but the thrill I experience now with pleasure
the friend now giggling without teeth fondly does remember.
the water changes its color over seasons of a year
from diamond color to blue sapphire to water clear.
to play with numerous suns and moons on reflection
gentle waves scattering them to our elation.
the sun blesses us by converting its hot radiation
to soothe us reflecting as many a cool sun
to play with us on waves while we swim and dip
moon also plays with us but none, we could grip.
Often we dive deep to touch river bed
and peep out surprising elders at mieters ahead.
The natural zigzag curvature of a riverbank
make enclosed bathrooms for ladies to thank
as bath, they take safely for hours with gossip and pleasure
as a daily chore at dawn and dusk, they rush to the river
the change of the sarees is an art for applause
For ages, ladies made it their habit devoid of flaws.
Originating the river from the mountains
joined by many streams and fountains
passing through many forests
sweeping many healthy mineral specks of dust
touching the roots of many trees
many leaves with medication value it carries
hence its dirt has medical values
a bath in the river solves many medical issues.
the dirt of river water
removes the dirt on the body cover
by brushing aside them with the help of a river current
thus they act as perfectly as cleaning agents.
the mass of flowering water
maintains a constant temperature
cool in summer
warm in winter
Still now in rural villages take river- baths human beings
hale, they stay enjoying the medication that the river brings.
no complaints on health issues have been reported
How then can the river bath be discarded?
Laugh one may
on river bath, my say
Majority of people the world over
must be taking such baths in streams or river
Enjoy, they must be in my way
With nature, it is always ecstatic to play.

P K Routray
in the service of the Lord