Poetry: Namita Rai

Namita Rai

The Frolics of the Ocean

Oh sky! Your roar, your rain—

All is from my womb.

If I want, I can make cracks in the crust of the earth

By stopping the flow of water and leave you dry and bare.

I have nectar, pearls, shells,

And gems in my rich womb.

Not only this, I am the inspiration

Behind the dreams of sailors, poets, artists,

Travellers, and lovers.

I leave my imprints on the land for all to remember.

I engage in conversation with the sky!

Not only this, I accept the attraction of the moon,

And become the mirror of the Sun’s shimmering rays.

But still,

Sitting on the distant horizon,

Sometimes I see the confluence of sky and land.

Despite the distance,

I notice their selfless love for each other.

One carries a heavy load on its breast,

The other spreads a blanket of shade

On the sweltering, burdened earth.

Then why should I be so proud of my existence?

Why should I not become a mussuck

And quench the thirst of the tired earth?

And quit my lordly attitude over the sky?

My character is life-giving.

Without the sky and earth,

I would have no existence.

Contemplating this,

I flow calmly, quietly,

And remain deep and serious in my mind.

But still, sometimes, because of my nature,

I cannot resist playing with the Heaven and the Earth.

***

A Rose So Rare

Winds murmured, birds whispered,

Leaves like silk sari rustled,

Heralding the arrival of someone soft and slight,

Under the cobalt blue sky so bright!

Gently blow, O’ flowing breeze!

An infant bud is trembling on its tender feet,

Its soft petals all curled inside,

Swaying gently with new life.

O’ rays warm! Spread your charm!

Enter its stem and veins,

Bringing a soft blush to its innocent face.

O’ slanting rain, bathe the bud with your soft drizzle,

So that the newborn wakes with a dewy chuckle.

Cradle it in your arms, O’ gardener sweet,

Shower love and care on the roots beneath,

Aroma of roses may surround its being,

Scents and smells may spread in dreams.

Shhhh! Shhhh! Softly whisper;

The tightly closed petals are slowly uncurling

To the sound of twittering birds in the morning.

Frowns and creases are clearing from a forehead so fine,

See the charm as the rosy bud opens into a blossoming smile,

Bringing the world to a stop after running a thousand miles!

Stunned at God’s incredible creation,

Watching the velvety bud in fascination,

Children yearn to pluck its delicate glow,

With impish fright they let it go!

Soft breeze teases its tender leaves,

Softly and slowly, it unfolds its angelic being

In Eden’s tempting garden green.

Its expressions swing from grim to wide grin,

It stares and blinks as the sunlight winks.

It is like rose water to unquenched eyes,

The heart swells with pride at its pure sight.

O’ gardener sweet! Nourish the tender bud with care,

As gradually, it must blossom into a rose unique and rare.

***

Youth

Youth is eternal as the soul,

This is what my father told.

Why wear the burden of old age,

When the spring in the heart never fades?

It initiates us to dive into deeds,

And take off high in the sky indeed!

The sky should be the limit for young and old,

Write it on the canvas of life in bold!

No doubt flowers bloom and wither, not to decay in the soil,

But to make the soil fertile and bud anew for the young ones to thrive.

For life without action is a pathetic story,

Untold misery and lacking glory.

Spring in the heart and aim in the mind,

Dreams in the eyes,

Deeds become alive,

And in every heart, a vibrant bouquet thrives.

Hence, why cry for the past or worry for the future?

Fill the present with spring at this conjecture.

Present is spring, and spring is present—

This is the true philosophy of life.

A mystery unfolded for all alike.

Live in the present,

Remain young and eternal,

With spring in its kernel.

***

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Setu, September 2024