midnight in the garden of peace

international poetry antology
Everyday we hear
melodious calls of painted birds
You are the gardener
of the hanging garden
I know you won't come back again
Yet amidst the clouds
will be shining
the radiant smile of the sun
(Original Assamese poem titled “Chitralekha”)
Note: Chitralekha was the boon companion of Usha, the daughter of
the King Baan of the Sonitpur kingdom in Assam (India) of the
Mahabharata era. Chitralekha had magical skills at painting and
portraiture in particular.
Tr. © Nirendra Nath Thakuria
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