'Konkani Mai Ascends the Throne'
(Hyperlinks are highly recommended to grasp the aura of this poem)
Dedicated to the memory of Fernando da Costa Leal
On the horizon is a winding road.
Bent ol man is lugging his load.
Far out to sea; a billowing sail.
The peacock struts an lends a wail.
The distant hills a beauteous view
Mid morn it is, and where the crew?
Sky an the earth meet and end.
oh! Saladin go, an for them send.
Haven't got all day to sit an wait
Pooch won't be bathed at this rate
Horses are restless back in the barn
The gypsy girls are out picking corn
A commotion near the outhouse there
Pushpa hurry! Go get Ramsingh here
Ah Hariram; the postman is cycling in
Oh! Ramsingh check that infernal din
Excuse mem-sb it's the Konkani binge
They've stolen the Mai's cartage sling
No wonder my! They are so upset,
Go tell Sahib; an them not to fret
Pushpa's full of mysterious lure
Let it happen? I might have a cure
Agustus hasn't felt me, in this year.
I Wonder now, how long can I bear?
Hariram Ah! you have this wad
He looks well built an yes so sad
The sweat has run, down his shirt
Muscled leg's, have caught some dirt
Starched turban, whistle an rap
Brawny like a fruit tree full of sap.
Ya..uh..umm it's a letter from mum
Hariram! Oh! Why don't you come?
I've got this carton that you'll pack
Phuspa's sneaky, the witching hack
She's ebony black an white her teeth
Well endowed and braids like a wreath
I know she's caught Augustus' eye
Mass at Basilica, he left on the sly
She's so earthy with heathen ways
Wherefore now the inquisition days
Hariram here hold me up the stool
Bother I think, he can't be a fool
Oh come on Hariram; a little bit up
His eyes I saw, were a brimming cup
Gingerly at first he held my back
Rasped me then, against the rack
My legs went weak, and I drooped
Lowered me down and slowly stooped
In a flash it hit me, a punch of whiff
By myside I felt him, eager an stiff
Breathed he heavy in an guttural hiss
Taught me the meaning of earthly bliss
My elation's path sullied in dirt
No taboos chain, raunch and flirt
lay I ravished an the stair creaked
knew well Pushpa, what I seaked
(Islamabad)
(April 24,2009)
A wonderful poem with colonial background. A bit ironic as well.
It is a poem seems to have been written from the heart and presented in a way to conquer the world........ pain taking but with a firm mind written... thank you for your kind sharing the history too. certainly marks will not suffice the poem..
again another masterpiece you seem to have done a perfect study of the mem-sahib perhaps a PHD on that A+++ anjali
historical poem of poet who will b remembred in history in golden words...
wonderful, humourous, ironic- Saadat, you have really brought the whole scenario alive. perfect control of syntax and vivid word pictures- add to my fav list for further reading pleasure. foot notes are interesting.10++ Mamta
Along with the love of civilization & historical perspectives do reflect the command on english...... it is a nice creation km
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
this is like seeing a vast canvas of a collage...difficult to make wrod picutes and u did it with utmost falicity!