Forbidden After the sunset The destitute boy Came up to the verandah Looking for water and a little food. Waiting for him to return by the very path He came after having food. Defiance of 144 The company of his chums Or the promises he made He can't break. There is only one way Forward. Dumb I paint floral designs in my imagination And they… Keep going forward gradually Like steel arrows piercing darkness In quest of a sun. Housewife The two hands adorned with henna, Adept at knitting, cutting and embroidery, Along with the appointment letter sans salary Were sent as dowry by my mother Ecopark of the town Green exhalation In the air fly inebriated butterflies Seasonal kitchen garden Hungers are festivals of enthusiasm The lamps of morning and evening Prayers for happiness and longing Ration, cooking gas, electricity Counting of every pie for the monthly expenditure As if a teacher of algebra and statistics The meagre savings of a few rupees Might bring the birthday cake of the little son Dark shades on hands and face On which cream-lotion haven't been applied Fragrant floors of the house Two sleepless eyes In the swaying dream hangs mirror of happiness Does nothing, just stays home (?) She's just a housewife (!) Putting to an end the PhD materials of life science, physics, chemistry Drowned in self-satisfaction Sunburnt skin and hair, cracked heels Meaningless face pack, hair conditioner, crack cream Behind the screen and camera Its empathy that’s the tree of happiness The roots go down deep and deeper.
Translated by Uttam Duorah
Monika Teronpi is an Assamese poet based in Diphu, Assam. She has one collection of poems to her credit.
Uttam Duorah, the translator, retired as the HoD, English, Women’s College, Tinsukia and is based in Tinsukia, Assam.