My Pet Garden Poem by Prayag Saikia

I can't get up
Please stoop and come near my lips
I wish to give you a kiss
I would like to smear a little gulal*
A little gulal of blessing
On the very spot of your forehead
Where the third eye of Neel-lohit† exists
Let me sprinkle the treasure of touch
Intimately on your forehead
Don't think this game of illusion
To be a hindrance
On your achievement of Uttarayan
Gita follower Bibaswan knows
Where lies my salvation
I am not a heroine
To Claim a wish death
I am just a simple entity
That wants to build a garden of love
At this moment
With a withering body
Where you are the blossoms
And
I a butterfly
Illuminated at the ultimate stage of life
Through transformation
Bend down to look
Am I worthy enough
To flow like a river


* Coloured powder used in 'holi festival'

† - Lord Shiva

(Translated from original Assamese by Bibekananda Choudhury)