Issue: Vol. V, No. 3, November-January, 2026-27
The Whirlpool of Life
Uneven, all ups and downs
Lanes and bye lanes
All thorny
I do not know why
But I learned to like them all
I cheered up
At the sight of
Blood drops oozing out
From the scratches of thorns
The body worsted by blows
Is unable to bear any longer
The burden of poisoned blood cells
The body is diseased
And the diseases are my earnings
The so called educated and refined
Their kindness, love and advice
And honeyed words
Keep me confined in the dark
Their true nature showing in the dark
Leaves me shivering
I am keeping my mind unaffected
Far away.
Summer Rain
Summer is very friendly with the clouds
When they unite they come upon the earth
With a message of love.
The intimacy of the clouds and the summer
Is celebrated in poems and songs
They dance to a tune
Rhythmic tip tip, tup tup, chip chip
Nature takes a bath and looks beautiful
The bubbles and drops are all a soothing.
You fertilise the dry earth
And the ancient fragrance of the earth
Emanates as you arrive.
Hi dark clouds! Where are you going?
Why are you on such a hurry?
What has excited you
To leave your calm
To dance in an ecstasy?
You frighten one and all
Swelling torrents overflow
Levelling houses, fields and lakes
Disaster brings the killer and the kill together.
You are the creator, rain
I find you enchanting.
Visit us in your charming look
With a message of peace
To make earth green.
Translated by Dr. Ananda Bormudoi
Dr Farida Ahmed is an Assamese poet and writer. She has published three poetry books: two in original Assamese and one in English translation.