English

THE ENCOUNTER

 

Here we are, one to one 

Here, where two hills meet--

Like two lives, hesitant 

Imaging each other.

Here we are,

Face to face, with one another-- 

Those eyes with gathering Clouds 

Struggle to sight that

One upon another, shifting winds drive 

Shifting souls. 

Lest they speak up, as they to and fro…

Face to face, here we are.

Shall I step ahead, or shall I not? 

This piyal¹, forever shedding

Forever waiting, this senseless soul. 

Excuses none were, yet hills upon hills of Clouds 

Shiver through days and through hilly nights.

Like lives hesitant,

Imaging one another-

Imaged each another- 

Like lives hesitant. 

On wasted Teesta's² either sides…

  

Glossary:

 

1.     a deciduous tree commonly found on Indian hills

2.     a lifeline river in the northern parts of Bengal, India

 

 

 

 

CARAVAN

 

Everyone stands still.

They will leave, once the picture concludes.

The picture keeps rolling.

A picture about a group of men-

Each of us, in our way, seeking ourselves.

Second one to the right is my Baba¹

Next to him is Benu Kaka².

In between those two, through a tiny gap,

 Propping her head out, is Didibhai³. So small.

At this end, peer many more from the neighbourhood.

Right up front are Ma⁴ and Pishi⁵

A lion's share of the picture is smeared by a scent of longing

Everyone, in his life, has such a Portrait.

Wherein, someone or other goes missing.

Me misplaced, you unseen, or those winds and climes-

The gardens of the Pandeys; the snows of Shimla;

The sudden waterfalls; the palms of your Hands;

Shadows of clouds; 

Or for that matter, even the farewell note's "Keep well", too, could go missing…

 

Glossary:

 

1. Father
2. Father’s younger brother
3. Term of endearment for elder sister
4. Mother
5. Father’s sister

 

MOMENTS NEVERTHELESS

 

Let all return from leaves of history 
Wrapped, lashed, morphed --let all
Lores return. 
Wisdom, borne in bowed branches …
Like a sleep primal, stroking a gentle brow, 
It stoops, so stoops 
A drug-steeped breeze. 
Like a presence near and dear,
Let those wakeful nights of gramophone 
Return. 
Could he return once more to those wishful ways 
To find once more a lost wooden deer 
Tender, delicate dew-wet words. 
A few needlessly wrapped around the eyes- 
Winter lies behind in a breath dissolved 
Words lie withered,
For ten years now...