Poetry: Tamali Neogi

Adieu!

 Forced by inclinations,

Of my naked pride!

I say adieu to my first love.

Alas! My poor soul, as free as a bubble,

thin walls of misconceptions evaporate soon,

released is my trapped ego, air of betrayal.

***

 

Under the heel

Have been your lover for centuries,

over my chest, barefooted,

thou have danced to the music of creation,

and what a glory you earn!

Mother of civilization.

  

Yet, on the night of fun and frivolity,

changing your course, you embrace a new path,

your new lover.

The homeless mermaids cry aloud: "come back, come back".

 

Ha! Though wish it strong,

or wait for another century,

can we return to our forsaken old selves?

 

No, I say to my dried tears,

believe it or not, the final journey is made,

here you see, dear lady, only acceptance.

***

 

Strange bond

When after decades, I return to breathe in your air,

I call you the schemer, a traitor

for you,

the slave of Time,

the thrashing machine,

you disown past

like the seeds

from the stalks and husks.

Farewell, my dear city,

no longer mine.

***

 

Dr. Tamali Neogi is Assistant Professor of English, Gushkara College (University of Burdwan). She has authored Woman of Patashpur, V.S.Naipaul: His Dark and Comic Vision and Moments. She has won BEST DEBUT BOOK 2024 AWARD for her collection of poems, Winged Monologues. She is selected as one of the fifty Memorable Women in Contemporary History by Mil Mentos Por Mexico International in 2024. She is awarded IV PREMIO ANNUAL DE PAZ 2024, DR JUAN CARLOS MARTINEZ CHUEKAS INTERNATIONAL PEACE PRIZE, PLATINUM EAGLE PRIZE. She is featured in multiple national level English newspapers and internationally reputed magazine like Wordsmith International Editorial Magazine.

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Special Edition: Sweet-Bitter Farewells :: Setu, December 2024