Dinesh Goswami
Intense sunlight of day covered the bright palette of the sky Sweat oozing out all over your body On the morning grass in utter silence petals of night jasmine— as if dead. And through my hands pass incessant languor Nevertheless, sitting in the light of a resplendent dream Like a drunkard in the intoxication of sunlight— I think Deep faith unnoticed may have offered assurance To life, to world: love is ingrained. When the fog of remembrance wears off only a few things remain— Names of a few flowers, one or two poems and a girl one loves When there’s nothing one can claim one’s own! Only emptiness remains. Suddenly when wonders of night Descend down the banks of a golden river Shadows of endless fatigue fall on the deserts of the world The fragrance of the dream-thirsty heart spreads all over the universe. I feel great courage pulsating like a life The smell of the beloved woman’s body feels like The yellow paddy fields waking up piercing the waves of soil.
Translated by Uttam Duorah
Dinesh Goswami was an Assamese poet and writer.
Uttam Duorah, the translator, retired as the HoD, English, Women’s College, Tinsukia and is based in Tinsukia, Assam.