The Toad and the Snake
K. Radhakumar *
Early in the spring
A toad jumps into a pond,
A bit of a mystery.
Why I am here
Born into a middle-class family
At Imphal is a great wonder.
It is in the east of its life
And spends the day swimming and sunbathing.
Does it try to swim backstroke?
Why not?
Its philosophy is simple:
It is to live before it dies.
It croaks and breeds in water.
The winter months have set in.
The pond sees a long, long snake
Devouring alive the small toad
Our friend in the pond.
All our friends in the pond
Die a similar death.
There is no security against it.
Shall we always love the toad
And mourn for it?
What about the springs and winters
And long, long snakes?
Every spring seems to have its nemesis.
* Poem written by K. Radhakumar which was published at The Sangai Express
This poem was webcasted on June 10, 2017.
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