In the Arms of Niḷa: A River’s Embrace

 See, the Niḷa flows, so gentle, shy, and sweet,

A whispered smile where sunbeams softly meet.

Like breezes mild that stir the waves to grace,

She kisses stones, a blush upon her face.

In currents soft, her love begins to gleam,

A vibrant bloom beside a verdant dream.

Though silent tears might well within her eyes,

Through life's long journey, ardent love still rise.

When clouds pour down their mercy, soft as dew,

She folds the earth in an embrace so true.

With chilling touch, her tender heart takes flight,

While shy trees bend, enchanted by her light.

Along her banks, old temples greet the dawn,

Where chants arise as prayers are softly drawn.

In flickering lamps, her waters softly gleam,

She cradles faith within her ancient dream.

The storyteller gathers by her side,

Where children’s wonder meets the river’s tide.

In every swirl, a fable softly told,

Of gods and mortals, destinies of old.

Yet, mark the change when furious winds descend,

And roots of floods their wild command extend.

Then Niḷa surges, wrathful, fierce, and deep,

A torrent born where ancient terrors sleep.

The ocean roars, its shores in thunder break,

And life itself trembles for sorrow’s sake.

Death's shadow falls, a chilling, stark decree,

As fury's depths unveil her sovereignty.

From banks estranged, a mournful echo calls,

Growth and dissolution, held within her walls.

When swift vines climb, above the waters high,

A poignant blush, a sacred pain draws nigh.

The river sings, a drama, dark and light,

Of love and death, of shame and angry might.

Here sages once their fervent penance made,

Where heavenly maidens in her waters played.

The river’s flow, a bridge to realms unseen,

Where mortal hopes meet godly, golden sheen.

In holy rites, her flowing heart we share,

With fragrant flowers, and whispered, earnest prayer.

For Karkidaka Vavu’s ancestral breath,

She carries wishes past the gates of death.

Arattu’s drums, with echoes rich and clear,

Proclaim her blessings to the listening ear.

But now her tears, a bitter tale they sing,

Of sandbanks lost and dams that harshly cling.

The greedy fish hunter, with net in calloused hand,

Knows Niḷa’s moods, her bounty and demand.

Yet still she flows, a memory to keep,

Where children’s laughter echoes soft and deep.

In modern dreams, her ancient soul remains,

A testament to love, to loss, to pains.

Now, when the ocean, her true lover, nears,

A modest shyness calms her joyful fears.

Her watery secret, tender and profound,

Draws him to her, on hallowed, sacred ground.

Like chilly touch on fingertips so slight,

Her eager waves dissolve into his light.

In emerald dreams, her beauty lies concealed,

Lest all her grace too readily be revealed.

For in his depths, she yearns to fade away,

And offer smiles where hidden meanings play.

When in the wind's embrace, her spirit sighs,

Her heart dissolves, beneath his yearning skies.

Like lover's pull, through depths of joy and pain,

She finds her laughter, cries, and peace again.

With timid grace, she draws herself so near,

As ocean's gate unfolds, dispelling fear.

For love's first kiss, her very essence longs,

Lost in the rhythm of his ancient songs.