RURAL EVENING WALK: HINDI POEM BY PROMILA BHARDWAJ: ENGLISH VERSION BY RAJNI CHHABRA

RURAL EVENING WALK

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Not only in cities

In villages too,  trend of

An evening walk prevails

Women go for a walk daily

Instead of holding chain of dogs

And mobile, hold sickle in hand

Tying *chunree tightly on head

Risking their lives,

Like brave warriors

In every season, every evening

They go to cut grass,

Conversing with their friends

Moving cautiously, managing escape 

From venomous creatures

Carefully cut

Lush green grass,

Keeping in mind

Likes and dislikes of animals

Just like caring for diverse needs of

Members of family,

Sharing their pleasure and pain

Move their skillful hands,

Discussing about neighbourhood

About farming

With the level of heap of grass rising

Their knowledge enhances,

Many problems of daily life

Get tackled over there,

While cutting grass 

Learns new recipes

During conversation

Many issues are resolved

In the process of tying bundles of grass

Many new plannings  are done

They keep in mind  new tricks

Holding on head

Heavy bundle

Relieving their mind

Recharging their batteries,

Grass fetching them hope

With relaxed facial expression

Depicting ethereal beauty

In dusky hours,

Return with slow pace

From their evening walk, 

Holding sickle in hand.

*chunree : particoloured dupatta, a long stole