Wednesday, February 23, 2011

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.)


Sunday, February 13, 2011

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.