By Nirmalprabha Bordoloi

I saw him trotting away
In a late afternoon 
Along the path through the field.

With a head covering on
And a yoke bending 
Under bundles of rice stalks
Swaying to soft music.

They all followed suit
Golden sunshine of Aghon 
The thatch house neighborhood 
The earthen byelane through bamboo clusters
And the flock of singing birds.

He went on and on and passed out of sight. 
Who can tell
If he will return at all
In this life ?

Translated by Ananda Bormudoi

Click here to read the original Assamese poem.

Nirmalprabha Bordoloi (b.1933-d.2004) was an Indian poet, lyricist and folklorist of Assam.