(‘The River & I”)

Deepti Naval

A marvelous light
illuminates the mountain
stops me in my track 
a light I have not seen before

Here’s where the Zanskar river
meets the Indus
Here’s where I begin my journey
and there will be no escape
no dark streets to flee down
no inner roads 
getting me out of myself . . .

My catharsis will be recorded hereon

Who I am, and who I think I am
the perennial conflict 
beginning at the end
will end at the beginning . . .