The Changes
Reed walls are now scarce in the villages
Nobody saves money in the bamboo banks
Whitewashed bamboo pillars have also disappeared.
Flamingos have been replaced by flocks of ibis
The birds drop seeds familiar and strange
In their droppings.
They grow up into trees
And we take a rest in the shadows.
To build concrete structures
And four lane roads
The trees have been felled
The shelter of the flamingos was destroyed
And the birds disappeared.
You do not raise dust while walking
There is dehydration in the body
Nature's beauty faded
And yet I search for my home in the village
With a flock of birds in the backyard woods.
Translated by Ananda Bormudoi
Bipul Regon was an Assamese poet and writer. He published three collections of poems. Sita Ravanar Atmakatha was his latest collection of poems. Besides writing in Assamese he also wrote in Malayalam and Hindi language. He died on July 5, 2024. He sent this poem to PWF a few days before his death. This is probably his last poem. The poem is published in this issue as a tribute to the poet.