Countryside Poem by BASAB CHAUDHURI

Duck

A duck alone -
not swimming, but floating
up and down, with the flow,
its life is slow: I mean slow.
No need of recognition,
it just floats, up a little
towards the sky,
and then immediately coming down,
far from the attention of the city
a duck's life is indifferent.

Goat

A rope around the neck
it doesn't know it belongs to someone;
with head down, its mouth moves
over the green grass.
A bicyclist circles by
the goat doesn't see,
a picture of profuse mindfulness
it has learnt how to be.

House

Just a room
thatched roof made of straw,
the door open
none inside.
A few utensils
long lost value,
water in an earthen pot
that's all about a house.

Woman

She stands in the field
her dark skin shines in the sun,
her eyes see far and wide
a vast stretch of this uneven land.
An epitome of concentration
she feels the blowing breeze,
smells the dust, fine and grey
feels hour, drinks the day.