girl from Bengal

Your path is covered
with soft, green grass
scattered dew drops
shine like stars
on that velvet green

white petals of harsingars
lie there like pieces of dream
your softer feet
touch the earth
golden hued with tinge of red
like a pair of lotuses
they kiss the ground
with gentle grace

birds sing sweetly
to cheer you up
payel softly chime
to add some music
to your graceful walk.

the crystal water ripples
crimson tides dance
morning sun opens his eyes
to look down upon you
he too is confused
who is more beautiful
you or the lotuses
that are blooming in the pond
you leave them wondering
fill up your pitcher and return.

Sharmishtha basu
3.11.10

country sketch

tired bulls
drag the plough
soil stirs
underneath

egrets wait
patiently
scattered like
pearl

exhausted farmer
takes a break
under
the shady banyan

soft breeze
kiss his brow
dry up
sweat drops

Sharmishtha basu
18.09.10

village belles

temple bells
chime
sonorously
Echoing music

village belles
dressed pretty
strollingly
reach the well

laughter
melodious
as
chiming bell.

cheeks
dresses
candor bright
outcolour flowers


Sharmishtha basu
18.09.10

journey awaits

my boat is ready to sail
eagerly it waits for me
bobbing up and down in gale
it urgently calls out to me.

we have been together
from the mountain top silver
kissing the crisp clear ether
since we rolled down the river.

we descended winners
depending on one another
we came down victorious
battling rocks, through lather.

stones tried to pierce her
foams tried to smother
it was such a fun to maneuver
all that rock and lather.

we crossed sleepy villages
and the fields and valleys
heard the sweet stories
told by wind, land and valleys.

now she is waiting in ocean
calling out to me andantily
to endless journey in ocean
to abandon ourselves merrily.


Sharmishtha basu
26.10.10