Translated from the Hindi by Purbasha Roy
Realization
Far in that dark, there’s something that clangs
maybe, it is the peepal.
There, on the river shores, someone sleeps
maybe, it is a journey.
Some lamp child wakes night long
maybe, it is faith.
Kalinga
Only Ashoka is returning
and all
are asking for Kalinga’s address.
Only Ashoka has bowed his head
and all
are walking like winners.
Only in Ashoka’s ears, the echoes scream
and all
in laughter double.
Only Ashoka has kept the weapons,
only Ashoka
was fighting.
Children don’t walk
Children don’t walk,
Walks question marks!
Life’s question marks!
Courtyard’s question marks!
But you are answerless.
Dear!
Wake up! wake up! wake up!
Falling is not necessary;
Rising is necessary.
Also, read a Hindi story, written by Mamta Kalia, translated into English by Rituparna Mukherjee, and published in The Antonym.
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