Take O' Take Poem by Kanishka SricharanPratap

A bit of smile
Drenched in dew
At pond's bank,
To your lac-dyed feet
A little cough.
Take O' take...

You may not take
The tender touch of scarecrow,
Let that go to fire...
The touch of full moon night
I decked
With ridge gourd blossoms.
Take O' take...

Half eaten jujube berry
Of Luna islet
To give or not to give
While I think,
You snatch away.
In that sour tamarind
So much honey!
You pinch while taking.
Take O' take...

At the narrow village lane
You sprinkle water
On my face
From your pitcher,
While clasping
Your champak hands,
You slip
Lighting fire.
Take O' take...

I have opened
The casket of matchless value!
Take O' take...

Only with this
Much is finished,
Much I streamed!

Whatever is left
I cannot give,
Leave O' leave!


Translated from Odia by
Subash Chandra Mohapatra