Sukrita Paul Kumar (Children's World)

Sukrita Paul Kumar

Outsider

 

There hid a tiny brown mouse

In the dark corner

Of my mind

 

I grew smaller

And smaller

Till I manifested myself

in that little body

 

Peeping from my hole

I discovered

That none felt my absence

out there

 

Mornings changed into nights

Mosquitoes whirred around

 

While I felt a deserted ship

In limitless waters

With no cats to fear

 

Now I know why

God is very lonely

 

 

Little Poemlets

 

The dewdrop swallows

the sun

and

leads a colourful existence.

 

….

 

When my shadow

overtook me

I knew

I had crossed the sun.

….

 

I follow my shadow

like it follows me

the intruder will be blackened.

….

 

The barking of the dog

gives meaning to the

silence of the night.

 

 

 

Bio Note: Sukrita Paul Kumar

A noted poet and critic, Sukrita Paul Kumar (born in Kenya) held the Aruna Asaf Ali Chair at the University of Delhi till recently. An invited poet and Fellow at the prestigious International Writing Programme, Iowa, USA, she is a former Fellow of the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla. She has published several collections of poetry, translations and critical books that include, Vanishing Words, Narrating Partition, Ismat: Her Life, Her Times, The New Story, Dream Catcher and others. A recipient of many residencies and fellowships, she has also held exhibitions of her paintings.

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Setu, December 2022 :: Children's World 2023