IMPRINTS

DAWN IN HILLS *************** In hills, on opening doors  Every early morning, Chirping-hopping Colourful birds  Wish Good Morning Blossoms bow down  To greet you Pure cool breeze Touching softly Fills freshness in eyes  Slowly and gradually Transmits enthusiasm and energy In body and mind, For performing daily chores, Pleasant viewing  High-low hills Every morning Prepare us for facing  Ups and downs of life, Some rare moments In vicinity of nature Are sufficient to tackle Minor-major targets daylong That are foundation of Minor and major accomplishments Even if, we fail to attain targets, Virtual feeling of efforts Nurturing self-satisfaction Reflects in glowing faces Peaceful, satisfied, pleased In hills, early morning. Vigourously shakes Ecstatic sleep, at times, Doubtful thoughts Hearing distant echo of explosion Bosom of hill has been Shattered by some ammunition. Stripping hills Layer after layer, For constructing houses, offices Dams and night-shelt...

  A pleasant surprise from Across the Border. Hearty Congrats to Dr. Neeraj Daiya on publication Write up on his literary journey and his poems in KENYA TIMES from UZBEKISTAN ( Courtesy : reputed poet Jakohngeer Nomozov) These 10 Rajasthani Poems by Dr. Neeraj Daiya have been translated by me into English, in 2018. Feeling good to be part of this write up. All reactions: 1 Mukesh Vyas

  DARKNESS ************ Pitch darkness Circulating in veins Flows out Within a wink of eyes Creeping-creeping In streets and on roads Everything is lost In dazzling of Artificial light, Under impact of  Materialism, Attracted towards  Modernism Indulged in tactics When can it see and how, With closed eyes Darkness Diffused in inner cores of heart Spreading all -around Constantly gulping Light.

 THE EARTH IMPARTS STRENGTH *********************************** How does the Earth  Silently bear Sharp pointed roots of Trees, plants Might be pricking her Sinking downwards Pointed claws of Creatures Scratching her for sake of Creating their burrows in it For laying foundation of house Dig her How much pain She might be bearing When vehicles and we run on her Sleep might be disturbed at night Still she is too shy to express it How does this sweet earth Keep on smiling Which divine Miraculous power Bestows her with this strength, O, that, we could attain such power And gain satiety Remain blessed Like this earth.

 LET LOVE PERSIST ******************** With affectionate touch of Sun-rays Melt glaciers Seem to be declaring, Softness exists even in  Rigid hearts Whether it be solid snow Or rigid heart Melt  In close vicinity  Of warmth of love. Keep intact  This warmth To make life lively Save love Keep on distributing, enhancing Happiness, willingly. Be like affectionate touch  And spread like sun-rays  Disperse love So that melt away  Hatred, jealousy -malice Let only love persist And  Let its warmth diffuse all-around 

 DIGNITY ********* Are we living in primitive period Again, these days, We did not possess  Sufficient clothes  To clad Foliage from trees  Hide of animals were used To serve the purpose of covering body Clothes were manufactured later on To cover dignified body. We still possess clothes We are human-beings still Then, why  We put on limited clothes Almost naked Viewing these,  It seems We are again  Dwelling in primitive age.

 INDIA DWELLS IN VILLAGES ***************************** I observed, what I had heard India dwells in villages Relations flourish here Under shade of affection Love and fraternity still exist Only in villages. If someone dies,  No festival or celebration  Takes place in the whole village. Rehearsals for performance of *Ramleela  Are carried more than one month in advance. It is possible  Only in village these days Preparations for wedding of a daughter Entire village gets involved Chopping wood Pruning of grains Becomes responsibility of every home Social responsibility  Still is assumed  In villages these days. In case of rift It is tackled collectively By persuasion Honouring the societal conventions Spiritual rites Regard for elders All rituals and customs All * sanskaras are preserved In villages, still I observed, what I had heard India dwells in villages * Sanskaras : in Indian Philosophy mental impressions

 TOWARDS WHICH DIRECTION ? ****************************** Riding on wheels of time Which way, are we heading? Tearing under wheels Grinding our very existence Just bend and see once Halt for a moment, observe, Hundreds of joys are being crushed, Beyond worldly comforts View ethereal  beauty. Just revert and view, Your love is calling you, With stiff eyes, waiting for you  Whole day and night For those moments, when carefreely  Beloved glances at her Snatching away those moments Flight of time is taking us Far away Creeks of heart are getting filled  With void Turning blank are  Relations and concerns. Lack of time has snatched  Near and dear ones from us Pleasing meetings, those get-together, Long gossips  That mirth, merry making, Taking away all fatigue, Parents now crave for seeing Their progeny Derive happiness, my meeting in reveries  Children go to bed, waiting for parents In dreams, express their grudging Tell them their demands, get s...

 ALWAYS AROUND ME *********************** I have innervation, every moment That you are with me,  In darkness, you appear Like first ray of  dawn, Ushering in of Autumn, Bud blooming on tree, Diffusing  fragrance, In ambience Mild aroma  Mingling in physique Inhaling and exhaling breath Effortlessly Persistent hope Hovering all-around Pleasure dwells Inward and outward. Innocent infant Sees with unblinking eyes Full- moon showers Coolness After intense humid heat Clouds drizzling, Crazy Monsoon arrives Thumping Dance of peacock, As if dance of soul Musical notes of *Mridang Overpowering of trance In each and every pore of body Makes me feel that You are around me Waves surge in heart, Always remain around me! *Mridang : a drum used in Indian music

 CHAMELEON  ************** In unbending body Existence of reluctant  heart  Is a surprise in itself In joyous mood, flies lightly Taking distant flights  Measuring azure  In each and every moment. Heaves deep sighs In moments of desperation, As if confining fierce storm within. Stuck with misery Sinks in pond of desperation Limitless ocean seems  A dwarf in front of him. Aspirations stretch their wings Flutters wings anxiously Just like a bird confined in cage Tries to seek freedom. In annoyance, emits fire As if volcanoes are erupting in inner cores. Moves disoriented Detached with all Ignores. If love overflows Is not confined in earth Like flowing wind Mingles with all In unbending body Dwells chameleon-like heart In itself, a surprise This chameleon-like heart.

 POTTER ********* What sort of  clay Those moulds, those colors, Those pulsating sounds, Life-nurturing herbs, With which are moulded countless Individuals, birds and animals, moths Ants, aquatic animals, chirpers, Rivers, streams, vegetation Thickets-orchids, clouds, sky, Diverse varieties Nothing is identical.  Distinct in itself, Variety of shapes, of different kinds. Countenance is unique Complexion, features, sound All shapes are different, Planets, constellations, the Moon, the Sun, stars All are unique  For creating variety of  Distinct creations,  How do you manage material-- Where from you fetch-- Mottoed, bright  Clay and efficiency We are not able to create dito Even a statue of clay, Nor even a flawless painting, Each and every object of nature/ creation, Diverse creatures,  Fetch us a glimpse only, Of that great, refined craftsmanship, Limitless vigour and capability, Endless,  beyond imagination is That manufacturer, that Creato...

 IDENTITY ********** Whatsoever we are Let us remain like that only, Neither overestimate,  Nor underestimate Us. The Sun has his own dignity, The Moon has his own grace, If they exchange their attributes Will lose their recognition. Let them stick to their identity. We don't need Honour and dishonour, Their entering and exiting Do not influence us, Only, we should aspire for Self-respect We don't want honour Dishonour is not acceptable, We don't want to match us With anyone else And, thereby lose Self -recognition, Don't deem it as arrogance Whatsoever, we are Let us remain like that only Don't over-estimate Don't underestimate Us.

 HORIZON ********** Persistence of the Earth Vastness of sky, Comprises in you Comprises in us, Complete reality of  The whole Universe is As much unsolved riddle  As horizon, Horizon is the mid-point of  Meeting of  The Earth with sky,  The centers are physical embodiment of, The touch From birth to death, Perceptible alike, beyond grasping Beyond our reach,  across What is contained in these,  Wherefrom it originated We are like horizon Or horizon is like us, Of what kind we are How is horizon,  Only He knows Whom nobody could understand, Creator of horizon  And of human-beings.  INAUSPICIOUS SIGNS ********************* The Sun is more fiery These days Ocean turning more fierce Is crossing limits Quakes of the earth Are increasing  These days Wind, too, has increased speed In an abnormal way Storms with more ferocity Are causing havoc Birds shriek these days Instead of chirping Clouds forgetting thundering Are roaring these d...

 INAUSPICIOUS SIGNS ********************* The Sun is more fiery These days Ocean turning more fierce Is crossing limits Quakes of the earth Are increasing  These days Wind, too, has increased speed In an abnormal way Storms with more ferocity Are causing havoc Birds shriek these days Instead of chirping Clouds forgetting thundering Are roaring these days Lightening strikes  More than usual Human-beings are getting ill-tempered Laugh less, speak less These signs are inauspicious, not good What do these denote What do these want to express These are indications of  Mishappenings in future Everything is topsy-turvy So many happenings are not the way As these should be This is a truth Since ancient times These occured  But, so much of anger is not right It is not good to lose senses like this O, Representatives of the earth! Supreme creation of the universe  Embrace peace Muse patiently Find alternative To embellish  Whatever is spoiled Baffled in jittery ...

DOUBT ******* You always have your way Whenever you feel like  Whatsoever you wish You jot down Am I a poem? Doing utmost efforts So many times I reached at door of Salvation Kept waiting in queue of Emancipation Prior to entering Throw me again On paper of world For diffusing and wandering Beholding black and white landscape You pick brush Put colours in it Am I a painting? Observing me sitting still You install battery in me So that I start moving Am I a toy? You decorate a background To amuse me and cheat me Baffle me with Enchanting scenes Am I a character of movie? Throwing nets of  Greed and illusion Capture me in these Am I your prey?  Entire day-night You make me perform So many tasks and Exhaust me Am I a machine? What do you consider me Just clarify this much Remove my doubt After that make me do Whatever you wish.

  Birbhadra Karkidholi (May 5,1964) Bi-lingual poet, story-writer, critic, translator and Editor from Sikkim Contribution to Literature :11 Published Anthologies of poems, 3 Collections of Short Stories, 1Memoir, 1 Research Work, 1 Collection of Critical Appreciations His Works translated into other Languages: 4 Poetry books and 2 Short Story Collections into Hindi, 1 Poetry Book into Assamese, 1 in Bodo, 1in Bengali and  3 into English. Edited Magazines : 6 in Nepali Books on the Poet:  3 books Participation/Awards: Participated in several national/international literary programs and fests. Felicitated with more than fifty national and international Awards conferred by different literary organizations in India, Nepal, Myanmar, Kuwait and Bangladesh Rajni Chhabra (July 3,1955) Retired Lecturer in English, multi lingual poetess, polyglot, blogger, reviewer, International Director 20 at W.U.P. and in Editorial Team of Ruminations and Glimpses (two Bi lingu...

    Rajni Chhabra (July 3,1955) Retired Lecturer in English, multi lingual poetess, polyglot, translator, blogger, reviewer, International Director 20 at W.U.P. and in Editorial Team of Ruminations and Glimpses (two Bi lingual U.G.C. Journals), Global Ambassador for Human Rights and Peace (I H R A C), Global Ambassador of World Poetry, C. E. O. & Founder @  www.numeropath.com Published Works: Mortgaged, maiden Poetry Book in English, available in Rajasthani and Bengali translation too; Hone Se Na Hone Tak, Pighlate Himkhand in Hindi, both translated into Punjabi and Maithilee as well, Aas kee koonchee Se and Baat Sirf Itni Si   11 Books on Numerology, both in Hindi and English. Translated Books: Fathoming Thy Heart, Vent Your Voice, Language Fused In Blood, Purnmidam, In the Art Gallery of My Heart, Across the Border, Sky is the Limit, Let the Birds Chirp, translated from Rajasthani, Reveries from Punjabi and Aspirations, Ini...

 YOU WILL MISS ME ONE DAY ****************************** Continually stunned Stood watching  Dusk! By  roadside Why do you ask me Interpretation of life ?  What  is true meaning ? Music/ this tormenting wind Ascension You know very well Chime of  helplessness Do me a favour  You move back, move back  And let me go as well If you want to understand life Don't look towards sky View scattering clouds, patiently If you ever miss me Reach here in dusky hours Exactly the same time Where horizon is apparent Look at that tree Silently, try to find life Within yourself Keep probing, keep probing! I know very well Who are the passers-by on this road What happens on this road Where from you have to pass alone You have to move alone Forget this / Deem it as A wish of yours When some day, passing alone You miss me badly Rest for a while on this tree Then cajole it, embrace it And move back Exactly at the same time, again You might be missing me.  

 A FATEFUL EVENING ********************** The Earth was sinking In deep trough of darkness I was sinking and sinking Utter silence prevailed everywhere Dismay/ utter stillness Exactly, on an evening like that God knows, in what sort of musical notes We were lost...! Alone on * Panghat Singing our own songs You did not realize then Water was dripping from pitcher! The same fateful evening! Your musical notes, your song And getting absorbed in self Was lost unknowingly Coming close from a distance Hiding-emanating, emanating hiding That very moment passionately You and we met You melted like snow Exactly that very moment, that evening I imagine several times That moment, that evening The evening of you and me. Panghat * bank of river, community well 

 BIRDS HAVE NOT RETURNED YET ********************************* Birds have not returned yet Leaves are withering one by one Wind is also not flowing in plenty! That mountain is about to fall Might fall, any night, any day Or  in any evening Standing overt here was My faith,  too History/ river Nests are lying empty In shelter of roof Sparrows have not visited, this year Even stars want to fall, deserting sky How was spent  Yester night I  don't want to lose my nerves Thinking and re-thinking over all this If these stars fall I wish, these fall  In the palms of  honest hands Dreams, too, remained dreams only Leaves of hopes withered  But birds have not returned yet Who has sent you Nude Perhaps he himself was nude O, time! Till now Blossoms have not bloomed on Nude branches Why did you carry storm with you? What sort of wind is blowing Intimate me about it Don't remind me of Yester nights And bygone evening Lamp was kindling But, light was not felt ...

 BEHIND THE CLOUD ********************** During my entire journey I could not find a wall Behind which I  could conceal your reveries When I  miss you badly That moment, clouds scatter  Towards your village Neither you, nor me have the capability of Removing those clouds instantly Why are clouds so jealous of us Whenever, I miss you This cloud comes in between us If you don't believe me--ask that cloud Whether I miss you or not The episode that pricks you The same flows in my veins, too It is years, since we are waiting for each other We could never meet on turn of that cross-road But, the mountain across which you are I am on the other end of the same This mountain exists between us We can climb on mountain If we intend so But, we can not climb, why?  Ask that mountain only Why can't we climb? You and me are not very far-off The cloud behind which you are I am also behind that cloud And the way in which  We are leading our lives There is no difference in i...

 THIS JOURNEY *************** Journey that begins in dark Ends in dark Journey that begins in light Ends in light Let us initiate our journey in light , this time Journey in light is not Difficult, as journey in dark Trust me this much. And as in dark With torch and match-box Relying on torch-bearers There is no need of all these Remember this much, too During journey body exhausts, mind gets tired Feet lose vigour Nail biting is likely Body may be sweaty Own life seems a burden to oneself  Own target seems tough to oneself " No journey is easy-going", I had told you But , you never trusted me This time You start your journey On your own feet Required items Carry on your own back Then only, you will realize What I said was true Journey that you accomplished Riding on another's back and Journey undertaken on feet of others And reaching destination thereby You will feel utter difference This is journey Don't insist on leaving it mid-way You will reach destination just b...

 ON THIS TURNING POINT ************************** For withering of leaves Fast wind is not mandatory Withering leaves fall Even with slight movements of wind Even without arrival of rainy season This season will follow spontaneously Will certainly fetch greenery along with it  After ascending so many heights He has reached this turn Just behold that man Now turning his back to this turn He won't sojourn During this phase of sufferings and destitution You, too, arrive at some destination He does not nurture this notion Leaves are found on earth only after shedding They don't intend to Embrace azure Those laughing apparently Are crying inwardly Every flower does not have thorns But rose I heartily long for Who prick  My palms That tree is not devoid of life Just by withering of leaves Don't lose self-control/patience It is not so that flowers won't bloom If leaves have withered Flowers, too, wither Just like leaves Flowers don't fall like leaves Leaves fall But leaves...

WE DON'T HAVE SUBSTITUTE OF THAT EVENING **********************************************  This evening is also not same  as it used to be  This night, too, is not like as it used to be Don't hum that song, don't hum it Mood is not the same as it used to be This evening, I am probing for that evening Sea is on fire or it is something else Seems as if heart is burning Tell me, how can I  bask in sun Sitting with you in ground? I return from same path always That is the only lonely path There is nothing new, even if I intend to view Whatever I  view, is old only Tell me, narration about which change Should I initiate...? Paths on which I tread I don't come across even one or two of my friends I return alone, humming the same song That you, too, hum  In courtyard of your home Why should I stroll aimlessly In this dusky evening Evening is not the same these days  As it used to be Don't hum the same song Letting your heart free Presently, time is not enchanti...

  ON THIS ROAD **************** I  treaded  on this road In darkness In light as well I treaded  in rain And in storm  aw well On this road I resumed walking Even after falling several times On this road I came across Hatred as well as love Met vicious persons/ met God as well I came across sufferings I fetched comfort as well On this road, serpent, too, bit me For no fault of mine/ purposelessly I was always scared of him I never had capability of crushing him But that serpent, till date Has not returned  To collect his venom It is still with me On this very road I came across frogs Snakes and eagles On this road,  I came across Light as well as darkness On this road I have lost life I have met life This road has  Evolved while I moved on it This road has got damaged, too While I moved on it.

  I HAVE A DIFFERENT WAY OF LIFE ********************************** Where was  I  yesterday Where have  been I  deported today O, time! In which country  You have dropped me, to survive  I am not able to peep in my past--why? In this climate, crops that grow are Cacti merely And letting me to live with cacti What sort of country is this? O, time! Where is heart and mind As it used to be in the past Where is my soul?  In tears devoid eyes O, change! What sort of dreams  You are showing me In my dreams Why Himalaya is not visible these days? Where is my sensation? Where has pious Sun  Touched feet of the earth I want to see Why day and night are alike here? Why is life so unsafe here? I never meant/ I never intended it O, time! Through which path You want me to move Where do you intend me to reach? This path This journey is not mine In my sweat flowing And burden carried by me Why I don't derive satisfaction? In this land Why a *choupati h...

 MYSELF: A FISH **************** These days I feel as if This earth, this desert land Bank less river These high mountains Palm of cactus This worldly trap How I got entangled in it Even after getting released Myself : a fish I have to keep wriggling with pain I have to keep suffering.

 IN ISOLATED ROOM OF HEART ******************************* In isolated room of my heart In room, in room At times, I place myself In front of me Keep reading, keep reading All alone In the isolated room of my heart Short stories of My own life In the isolated room  This solitary room of my heart.

 I WON'T DISCLOSE TO ANYONE ******************************* Towards which height I am ascending  I  am not aware of But, it is height certainly I am climbing and climbing You have intimacy Introduce me with it Who has taught you to make cage Why did you learn to make cage? Tell me silently I won't disclose it to anyone This cage Why did you buy? At what rate? And for which fault You captured parrot -mynah in it? After clipping their wings Why are you instructing both of them To fly? You simply cause suffering to others I won't implore you to save light I won't plead, not at all Light is approaching till here These days, during light/ darkness is Publicly killing darkness Are you aware of it? I am still ascending After clipping wings of  Parrot -mynah Why are you telling them To fly? Original poem in Nepali : Birbhadra karkidholi ( Bi-lingual Poet & Critic from Sikkim) English Version :  Rajni Chhabra ( Multi-lingual Poetess and Polyglot from Bikaner)

 DIARY ******* Holding bouquet of enchanting flowers  In your delicate hand You used to send me Beautiful 'Greeting Card' On every new year This year With complements You have sent a big diary You won't believe me I have diary of every year  But for writing  Particular subject/special words Distinct mind/ special colors Are lacking So, diary of every year Is kept intact as it was Empty and plain With me, in my possession...! Original poem in Nepali : Birbhadra karkidholi ( Bi-lingual Poet & Critic from Sikkim) English Version :  Rajni Chhabra ( Multi-lingual Poetess and Polyglot from Bikaner)

  Birbhadra karkidholi , a reputed multi-lingual poet, story writer and a successful editor is a powerful signature in the literary world, not only of Sikkim, but on global level. It is my good luck that he appreciates my Poetry and deems it worthy of translation into Nepali. I am so elated that some of my poems have been translated by him into Nepali and published in June,2023 issue of PROKRIYA, popular Magazine in Nepali. He is Editor of this reputed magazine, which has very wide circulation. Prior to this, Nepali trans-version some of my choicest poems from Hindi had been included in Prokriya in 2016 and 2018. I extend my soulful thanks to Poet Birbhadra karkidholi for this beautiful translation, retaining original fervour of my poems. सभी सुधि पाठकों के साथ अपनी ख़ुशी साँझा करना चाह रही हूँ/ मैं प्रसन्न हूँ कि सिक्किम से प्रकाशित होने वाली लोकप्रिय नेपाली पत्रिका 'प्रोक्रिया ' में मेरी चुनिंदा हिंदी कविताओं का नेपाली में अनुवाद जून , 2023 के अंक में शामिल किया गया है/ अन...