Solitude of Protected Wilderness

Who treads there?

Who ventures down the forbidden bridle-path

winding thro' thickets in the dense backwoods?

Time and again, memories traverse--

(Mind) reminisces Oak-Cedar-Rhododendron

At times, the fiery red flames of Sal-Simul-Palash

flashing in the lush woodland yellow and green.

And peeps through mangrove forests Kend and Garan

standing high on briny water and mud,

Or, ambles down the beach dunes, gazing at Jhau-Cashew-Casuarina

and Prospis Juliflora in desert sand

thorny bushes, fallen leaves here and there

wild grass-flower dandelion.

The dabbling mind meanders again--

Recalls the ivory spring-water rustling

on the pebbles-gravels-rockbed now and then.

Who thou explore?

Proceed no more; ruffle not the memoirs

Let the mahua-sozzled mindset remain ever

In tranquil solitude of protected wilderness. 

(My translated poem published in the book titled: World Poetry Festival 2011.

Translated from the original in Bangla written by Rathin Ghosh.)



Silent Confessions

 

I hold on to you, eyes closed, as we fly high,

You don't tilt towards me, nor pull me closer to you

But that is not important

As long as I know, you want me to hold on to you.

I face a stumble; I fall, I cry,

You don't console me or try to make things better

But that is not important

As long as I know, you want to me to come out stronger.

I send you notes and messages,

You read them alright, but do not respond

But that is not important

As long as I know, somewhere...we share a bond.

I look into your eyes

But I do not see myself in them anymore

It hurts a wee bit, but that is not important

As long as I know, by your side, you have some other strong oar.

I have my own bindings

And you may have yours going strong,

But that is not important

As long as I know, my commitment to this emotion is lifelong.