Cremation

The mantras are chanted, citizens cried
oh my lord! see the bright star has died.
The holy fire engulfed the dead meat suit,
oh my mother! the soul has left for its abode.
The burnt ashes reached its destination,
oh Ganges! purify the evil deed of the deceased.
'Stop! stop!' the river shouted, ' whom should I purify?'
The bewildered priest bowed down his head -
"Oh mother! the little girl who just died."
The river moved away in shame - " Who am I to purify?"
The priest sat down folding his hands, a tear trickled down -
"I am just a messenger between you and the human,
at most can request you to take her to God's garden up there."
The Ganges got furious " You burnt the body with the guard of arms,
at odd hours in the night like the soldier of Satan,
and then you come, with all your mantras,
and ask me to do what you should have done?"
The priest was speechless, head bowed with shame,
he could not pray for mercy, not the first body he cremated -
the holy river moved away, the soul of the mother left the earth,
When the priest raised his head, he saw just a stream passing by.