Poetry: Zinia Mitra

Darjeeling

Between creases of sleep and wakeful states of years     
the molten sunlight flits on ikshkus leaves  
eternity breathes behind the other slope
Darjeeling exists in a dream.

Pine trees shiver in green pherans
their aging shoulders stoop, touch mine 
peace flags with Buddha’s message 
flap colorful undertones in the wind.

Kitchen fumes spiral upwards
like affirmations of some hermetic faith    
each footstep replies to the other in boulevard silence 
chorbatos meander deep down into the unconscious.

Memories swirl on teagarden gradients 
yearning days, beggar nights, dim yellow-bulbed love-makings
cross the road to Oxford bookstore
like the penumbra of a kite’s full wingspan.

A whiff of horses’ pungent smell
the gale eats into the flesh, rain.
I wrap a half-wet dream in my woolen shawl, scrawl
a name on a condensed windowpane. 

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Zinia Mitra teaches English in the University of North Bengal. She writes from Siliguri, Darjeeling. Her poems have been published in National and International journals. She has authored books.

23 comments :

  1. Offline memory processing is very close to dreaming. Here Zinia is painting with words, and, not a surreal picture.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you MDB. Yes, Darjeeling has preserved my memories.

      Delete
  2. A careful reading of the poem transports a reader to every nook and corner and vast glory of the ' Queen of Hills', Darjeeling.The poet writes,'Memories swril on teagarden gradients yearning days...the Oxford bookstall....' and the like. The composition is beautiful, indeed.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you anonymous. I am glad you liked my poem.
      Zinia

      Delete
  3. A soothing palm rest on the forehead when reading this poem. Beautifully sketched

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Bob D' Costa for your appreciation. Glad you like it.
      Zinia

      Delete
  4. A soothing palm rest on the forehead when reading this poem. Beautifully sketched

    ReplyDelete
  5. So beautiful. The use of imagery is outstanding!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you. I cannot make out who you are.
      Thanks
      Zinia

      Delete
  6. Just read your poem. I felt I was in Darjeeling. Wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you.
      Zinia

      Delete
    2. Thank you for your comment.
      Zinia

      Delete
  7. Replies
    1. Thank you for your appreciation.
      Zinia

      Delete
  8. sensuality and transcendetnalism put together. Fantastic!

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  9. I felt that I was in Darjeeling.

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    Replies
    1. I am glad the poem made you feel you were in Darjeeling.
      Thanks.
      Zinia

      Delete
  10. Wonderful imagery...

    Kitchen fumes spiral upwards
    like affirmations of some hermetic faith

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Robert.I am glad you liked it.
      Zinia

      Delete
  11. Wonderful imagery...

    Kitchen fumes spiral upwards
    like affirmations of some hermetic faith

    ReplyDelete
  12. Wonderful imagery...

    Kitchen fumes spiral upwards
    like affirmations of some hermetic faith

    ReplyDelete
  13. Wonderful imagery...

    Kitchen fumes spiral upwards
    like affirmations of some hermetic faith

    ReplyDelete
  14. You took me to Darjeeling. Darjeeling is my favourite place in West Bengal.

    ReplyDelete

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