Malabika Ray Choudhury

My dream was to be a Jane Austen - or a Virginia Woolfe, whose 'stream of consciousness' touched the world,
or Kadambari - the muse who inspired the Bard in Bengali Literature.

a few fearless women -
...

I am enjoying everything! With your eyes!
the incessant rain on a valley, the blessing of a sun-kissed day,
the snow-capped mountain-peaks,
the glorious sandy beach, the glow
...

when for a hushed moment I close my eyes,
all I see is a dreamlike abode…
cradled among an enchanting landscape…
of roses, and dahlias, and chrysanthemums,
...

If my life is like a river, not all pebbles are shiny;

If my life is like a flower, not all petals are smooth;
...

you wished, you would travel the world with me,
but didn't say a word,
how would I know what your thought was,
unless you opened your heart?
...

The caged bird was in a golden cage,

The bird from the woods in the forest,
...

Shadharan Meye - (An Ordinary Girl) - Translation from Rabindranath Tagore

I am a girl from the inner court,
You don't know me.
...

If I say,
you are exquisitely beautiful!
To me, Apsara in Indian myths!
You laugh, and don't believe me at all!
...

বসন্ত এলো দ্বারে,  কি যে কথা বলি তারে!
নিয়ে এসো পলাশের রং,  ভরে দাও মোর থালি,
 সুরের আবেশ দাও মোর গানে,
 কোকিলের কুহূতানে উঠুক সঞ্চারি!
...

the yellow bird is back to the tranquil meadow where my soul finds true repose,
she didn't leave me....
I speak to her every day,
she tweets back with glee!
...

My father's garden afar cradled in my lavender memory, had serene chrysanthemums,
ravishing dahlias, along with smiling zinnias,
he dreamed of a life around those astounding flowers.
digging, and watering, and pruning the hedges,
...

isn't it strange that many years ago,
a dainty lass wore a yellow poncho,
and twirled around in her garden like a golden butterfly,
a little boy watched her...couldn't erase the memory the rest of his life!
...

When the chilly wind starts blowing from the North,
I don't curse the wind,
But lovingly admire the birds and their merry chirping for the last time this year,
And locate my most preferred shawl!
...

every night I have dreams - 
dream about you, dream about us,
dream about the life we never had, the days which rolled away like sapphire waves ~
dream about the ethereal childhood,
...

I wonder - why my heart doesn't cry out any longer...
sorrows, aches, crushed dreams...
nothing happens..nothing shakes my heart,
nothing sways me away, no murmer,
...

তুমি কি একটি সুন্দর কবিতা?
তুমি যাই বলো, আমার কাছে কবিতার মতো মনে হয় কেন?
করুন এক গানের সুরের মতো মনে হয়,
মধুর এক নাম-না-জানা পাখীর ডাকের মতো মনে হয়,
...

if all of a sudden I come across you in the street of gariahat,
crossing the road to the other side,
where I was waiting! after twenty-five years!
I would probably gaze and gaze,
...

We were travelling in a train -
My mother, my sister, me,
and my father.
My father had an interview with a prestigious company,
...

a peaceful room in the midst of my garden! My tranquil sanctuary!
the end of a day when I drown myself in memory!
the birds stopped chirping!
they are going back to their nests-
...

If you forget me....
Why you didn't - I wonder!
Many many years ago, in a small cottage-garden,
We were frolicking together,
...