The Tree I have planted myself I am sprouting up I have stretched out branches and leaves And I am playing with the wind I am growing taller and taller. I don't mind scorching sun And heavy shower A flock of birds have woken up In a cold dawn Frost has collected on my leaves The splendour of spring has arrived Crawling across my breast. The red of flowers burns bright. During autumn I am stripped naked Nakedness moves the cold of winter. The seagull shines in the morning Clasping a sea of sadness. I have given freedom to the birds To fly away to the horizon. The wayfarer is happy Picking ripe fruits fallen underneath. I am aging My roots have a firm grasp Over the ground. The Mask The face wears a mask The silent masks claim time The head and the heart are controlled by the mask. Those who wear masks are proud oppressors The century is chained by them. Nobody notices faces without masks Those who shelter humanity with simple hearts They are pure hearts till they wear masks They talk with sweet voices in moonlit nights. The masks change day and night The hues of happiness and sorrows. The face and the mask are different The masks are smiling. The mysterious mask and face.
Translated by Ananda Bormudoi
Pronobi Gogoi is an Assamese poet based in Duliajan, Tinsukia. She has one collection of poems to her credit.