Under the Simalu Tree in Our Village
Spreading out the flag of development Under the simalu tree in our village Luxuriantly grew up the shops and stores But the simalu tree is no more Waving the huge red standard in the sky One that reared the windy month Something that was on the road for the alien passers by That simalu tree is no more in that very place Driving away The birds that invited mornings and evenings Luxuriantly grew up the shops and stalls Under the simalu tree of our village And my heart aches!
Hope
The people who live in hope Subsist on hope Year after year Although some do become despondent And becoming despondent lose hope And the people, too, who show hope Live on showing hope To the people who subsist on hope They live showing hope to the despondent Not to give up hope With their infallible words— Good days will come Change will come. And the people, too, who live in hope Continue to live on In the hope shown by the hopemongers Day after day Year after year!
Translated by Uttam Duorah
Dibakar Bordoloi is an Assamese poet based in Dibrugarh, Assam.
Uttam Duorah, the translator, retired as the HoD, English, Women’s College, Tinsukia and is based in Tinsukia, Assam.