(In memory of Sabina Saigal Saikia who was killed in the terrorist attacks in Mumbai in November 2008)
The mad frenzy cannot go on for ever.
The Nazis had sprouted and grown.
They were uprooted!
Anne Frank’s diary wasn’t lost;
Rather it turned into a lake of life.
The mercenary Lashkars may come
By sea or by air.
The Taj on earth shall never stoop!
The wings of countless doves are aflutter!!
Each moment rings with the sap of its life.
To remind—
On the sacred canvas:
There’s no inscription of defeat.
Sabina of the fourth estate
Left for the Sun Temple.
A new diary rises from the ashes
As a phoenix.
A gust of breeze from the sea,
Flowing in through our country’s gates,
Seems to pen its first column
Life is for the moist eyes.
Don’t let the heart’s lake dry up!
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Original Assamese: Prayag Saikia of Nagaon
English translation: Krishna Dulal Barua
Dr. Prayag Saikia, a physician by profession, is an Assamese poet and short story writer. Till date he has published six collections of poetry (including ‘Yearning for Dawn’ in English) and a collection of short-stories. His poems and translations have also found place in various reputed publications including the Sahitya Akademi’s bi-monthly ‘Indian Literature’, Jayanta Mahapatra’s bi-annual ‘Chandrabhaga’, Chicago Poetry on-line Anthology, The Statesman Festival issue, 2001, etc.
About the Translator :
Predominantly a musician, Krishna Dulal Barua is a teacher of English by profession. He translates prose and poetry from Assamese to English and was a participant at the Translation Workshop conducted by the Sahitya Akademi in 1999. “Sangeetar Byawaharik Sutra aru Guitar” is his published work on music.
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