22.12.2023 • Views

From the Ganga to the Tay by Bashabi Fraser sampler

The Ganges and the Tay, the largest water courses in their two countries, are sources of life, conflict and industrial and historical change. The Ganga and the Tay is an epic concrete poem in which the River Ganges and the River Tay relate the historical importance of the ties between India and Scotland and their contemporary relevance as a natural symbol of continuity and peace. The poem is illustrated with beautiful photographs of both great rivers, which explore their shared, but unique, personalities through their histories, geographies, mythologies and environments.

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[ 18 ]

the Dochart

and Lochay

who glide

to my side

joining me

on my way.

But I’m not

to be won

by their

supplication.

Theirs is only to

pay homage,

to woo me

night and day,

trying to mingle

their kisses

and caresses

with my tide

and shingle –

aiming to shine

in reflected glory.

But I refrain

from weakening

to flattery.

I was born

to widen and deepen

my goal

and reign.

I am utterly

committed to

my role –

ignoring my importunate

rivals,

heeding instead

imploring and unfortunate

mortals,

spreading my bed

of old,

for their good

and gain.

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[ 18 ] the Dochart and Lochay who glide to my side joining me on my way. But I’m not to be won by their supplication. Theirs is only to pay homage, to woo me night and day, trying to mingle their kisses and caresses with my tide and shingle – aiming to shine in reflected glory. But I refrain from weakening to flattery. I was born to widen and deepen my goal and reign. I am utterly committed to my role – ignoring my importunate rivals, heeding instead imploring and unfortunate mortals, spreading my bed of old, for their good and gain.

ganga: So have they swarmed to your banks? Have they roamed with your stream? Have they realized dreams in tune with your whims – where you curved or cradled as you swerved Or lingered? Have they come to build homes to rest as your guest for some scores of years on your shores? tay: Aye, at intervals along my hundred and twenty miles of serpentine riverine progress – they have built their steeples and spires as they live, and, aspire – itinerant souls on my eternal shore – but their numbers are few compared to those who clamber at your door. [ 19 ]

Page 3: ashabi fraser was born in West Beng
Page 6 and 7: First published 2009 isbn: 978-1-90
Page 8 and 9: ‘But pleasures are like poppies s
Page 11 and 12: Preface ‘I am forever restless, M
Page 13 and 14: their assured flow. They remain a s
Page 15 and 16: Introduction ‘My childhood river
Page 17 and 18: ganga: 1 They call me Ganga. The st
Page 19: for mortals, I percolated in divers

From the Ganga to the Tay by Bashabi Fraser sampler

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