“Extinguished the life-lamp
in an immature time
the warmth-less body lies wet
in the cold water
the catfishes, a quitter, and the paddy heel
a silent witness to a suicide note
I am an incomplete letter
enclosing in an envelope
coagulated blood, flesh lying on the
railway stone
wild grasses tremble in fear to look at
breaking the silence of the greenness
running trains whistle
WHITE LOTUS
There was a famous and mighty King in South India.
His name was Bisambhan. He was a very honest and kindhearted King. But he would not marry so far time due to the curse of God as per astrologer report. The King's royal priest once advised him, 'You can get married, but there are some conditions.'
Firstly: The queen will be an inter-caste foreigner.
Secondly: She would be conceived without your presence within two years.
Thirdly: Don’t be trying to know each other during that period.
After having listened, this message King whispered,” “I can't accept.”
King’s mother sank in deep thought and murmured,
” It’s possible but how!”
"Call everyone into this state, Jurangarh to have as many astrologers, scientists, and advisers as there are in India."
The King ordered the minister.
II
As Mother of King got older, her stress was increasing day by day. She was not happy due to Kingdome. “How could survive a Kingless state in the future, after the death of Bisambhan? Our supporters and relatives do where will go then?”
Many people came and went into the kingdom, but no fruitful result came out in the end. All of them became hopeless.
After three months passed, one Anglo-Brazilian businessman, Big Paulo Johann met the King and talking about the business. The king allowed him to do business in their judicial area according to the laid down rule and regulations in vogue.
After one year completed a lot of relatives came from his city, Sao-Paulo, Brazil, that time, his business was going very well. That man became one of the topmost business-level achievers within one year. One day on the occasion of the 20th birthday ceremony of his beautiful daughter, Marcia.
He invited the King to a banquet for a special guest.
The King was felt very bored with his lonely life, just at that time he saw the merchant's daughter, Marcia. She was very intelligent and beautiful as a white lotus. The King’s heart started to melt after seen her sharpness of attractive figure. The honey girl said with a smile and handshakes with the King, ”Hi, Sir, by the way, how to enjoy the party are you?”
“Let’s dance, dudes.”
Within three days, the King summoned Marcia to meet his royal mother. Mother was pleased to see the nice girl. And she thought she was looking for this girl as a daughter-in-law.
One day King married Marcia and leaves the royal palace the next morning. Both the bride and the King’s mother decided where the King would go and how to spend these two years.
When King left the palace, he just whispered to the minister’s team, 'I'll stay on Snake Island for two years. I like that place very much with full of dangerous wild beauty.’
According to their plan, King in disguise went off with a few body-guards. The King's party will now do business with the jewelers, so they reached an island in the Andaman. This island is not like a Brazilian snake island but its name is equal. There is a lovely climate in the winter season. So many tourists used to visit that place in those times.
III
Six months passed here in Kingdom, queen Marcia thought, the promise could not be kept if she remained silent. “What shall I do, I can’t think about that peculiar astrologer’s message?” She thought very deeply like an aquatic animal towards deeper into the dark sea. She was as wise as a serpent. She is not a bride to give up so easily.
After consulting with the royal mother-in-law, she sent a spy to look for the King’s correct address. Three more months have passed since the news came. “With only fifteen months left, it's too late, to do something right now.” Marcia thought about it a lot and finally decided to form a special dance troupe. She did that according to mother in-law's permission, so there was no problem.
After reaching their destination, she built a dormitory right next to the King's island. The news spread to the common people there that such dance troupe would be here for seven days only.
Any richest person can come in it but tickets will be given to only seven people. Marcia was waiting for her royal husband. At last, he came into that island with the ordinary dress. Also, the queen was makes-up as a local tribal girl.
When the dance began, late at night, the queen served him very well with love, and after that, they slept in the same bed.
But the King did not recognize her, so the queen's purpose was fulfilled. The rest of their time had been spent similarly. The last night, the queen returned to the Kingdom, she left without saying a bit of a single word.
From then on, the King searched for the dancer but never found her.
When he played the violin in his spare time, the dancer had risen in his heart like a beautiful mermaid from the deep sea.
In that way, time passed, and finally, it was time to leave the island.
At the end of two years, the King sent messengers to his Kingdom to hear the updated news. Everything changes over time, only some events remain in the mind.
When the king arrived at the palace, he saw a sunny child in the lap of his queen Marcia.
He was too angry that time and shouted, 'Whose child is this, what is his father's name?'
The queen did not say anything and grabbed her fancy dress for dance night. It was swaying in front of him. His violin re-uttered that song silently again and again.
The King folded hands and knelt in front of his queen and took the boy in his arms wearing kingdom sign-on son’s forehead.
THOUGHT
(My first poem -1986)
Once I was sitting in the open casement
& wondering what to write
So, ponder in my intellect
Suddenly a quaint story came to mind
That’s logic was not right,
It didn’t mean exact
At where to bestow conclusion
and where to start
I didn’t decipher that
THE GLOW OF THE BLUE MYSTERY
Leaving the outer garment
The sheet leaves lie down on the bed
The door and windows fastened
The deep sleep tight
The end of the detective's night
A piece of flint light enters the blind hole,
A twinkle in the retina with a twinkle in the eye,
That light opens the door,
And drags the detective to the site of the murder
The beam will walk from place to place
He has to go to the pile of garbage
No sleep in the slums
Directed by search Dog
And all those murderous dogs drag the molten body
Does that skeleton tell the secret of his murder?
CAT’S TALK
Last February there was a scientific conference on this planet, earth, in which all the scientists and chemists of all the planets and satellites were invited.
Chuansi from Neptune and Marshiku from Mars, and many great aliens from different planets came to that gathering.
Chuansi and Marshiku were good friends but they continue to quarrel. After having finished the meeting, they moved randomly here and there. They were thinking something more.
The place was so beautiful; a fisherman was walking with his special cat on his way to a village by the sea. The cat was a species of a white tiger. So, the cat was called ‘aunty of the tiger.’ Let Chuansi and Marshiku agreed as the judge as a fisherman for them,
Chuansi told him to tell you which of us were more perfect and wiser. The fisherman had never seen an alien before so was a little scared.
After a while, he felt a jolt in his body, and cat and dog together barked at them.
They (Aliens) introduced themselves. Then Fisherman confirmed and said, “Okay dears, let's test it.”
They both produced their liquids and gases.
Chuansi: I will apply for my medicine over this dog and you will see that it will get bigger.
Fisherman: So, do it. Please carry on.
He did it but in vain. No fruitful outcome was found at all. The dog moved its head with peculiar sound again and again and gone out into the forest.
After a while, Marshiku did so and such a way on the cat. The instant result came out, within a minute cat’s body shape converted, it was bigger than the previous one.
The fisherman was surprised that his little cat became now like a little white tiger. He was very happy then. Many villagers were gathered to observe the test result. All were very happy and clapped for encouragement. Chuansi failed here but he was silent. After a minute, both aliens were disappeared.
The fisherman called to Giant cat with his known nickname, cat replied accordingly by moving his tail.
The news of the cat’s body deformation was burst everywhere. Many people came to see along with forest department and Zoo Company also. They wanted the special animal to keep with great care but the fisherman easily ignored that.
After lapsed one year, one day fisherman thought the cat may be used as a vehicle puller. He made a vehicle for it. The Giant cat carried a full basket of fish to the market but the work was very hard, after finishing the heavy work, so the cat was very angry with his master and gone out into the dense jungle. But there were so many problems in the jungle. Mosquito and ants disturbed his whole night. And no idea had for self-hunting too. When he came to the riverside, met a water-cat at that time she was busy eating fishes, etc.
She said, “Hi, giant cat. How do you do, here?”
He said, “Hallows,” in low voice. “Now I am very hungry.” Please give me some food, dear.”
Water-cat said, “Wait for a while.”
She threw some dead fishes towards him and snails too.
“I don’t like that please.” He said sadly fully.
“But, are your cat? So why not?”
“I never like to eat fishes”
“Strange! I can’t ever listen to that such type of cat's behavior.”
“Please, try the fish taste. Tomorrow, I will catch some fresh fish for you, darling.”
“Okay, I will try to eat.” The giant cat ran away into the forest.
Second day morning, after seeing the water-cat in hanging position along with the hunter’s net, the giant cat asked the water-cat,” Oh dear, how do you do and where are you going now, leaving me alone here.”
She replied, “Well, now I am engaged to marry and going to my husband’s house.”
She more added with pain,” Got it dear? I have entangled myself in the web of hunter's love. So, I was forced to go at all.”
“Okay, my dear but who’s with you,” asked the giant cat.
One snake, some fish and snails, and some children of villagers.
They were doing so many random noises with peculiar sounds and tease the water-cat again and again.
They said with a smile,” So many fishes ate daily. Now, what are you eating?” “What will you eat there?”
Half dead fish said,” Now our hatches will be safe from that type of danger water-cat.”
The giant cat thought a while, whether he will back to the pavilion or not.
Then he started a song with a loud voice:
“Water-Cat, Water-Cat
Where are you going now?
Hubby’s Flat, Hubby’s flat
After crossing the bridge-Bow….”
CENTURY PALM
Like the thousand-eyes seeds with all over body
Carrying those until death
Standing speechless and
Bowing his head is that Century Palm,
Lots of leaves have fallen and pushed the age
The result of life is like a golden page
Proud of that Century Palm and Century Palm,
DOLPHIN MASTER
Last year there was a swimming competition organized on an American canal that situated at the midpoint of place between sea and river’s tributaries.
Henry participated in that competition.
Although he gathered hugely experience as the perfect swimmer that place was more critical due to poor climatic conditions and mixing salty water. Despite those challenging situations, Henry Kitzesu started his swim very gently and passed about six hours perfectly. After some time, he lost her vision due to foggy and rainy weather. But he did not stop swimming. Occasionally he is scared of aquatic danger animals of the sea. But God bless him always as a group of Dolphins, they instructed by pushing his back into his route when he crossed the own perfect borderline.
Many have heard that animals have instructors or guides,
but here is how a group of aquatic animals can help a stranger.
I recite the rhyme.
Dolphin Master!
Dolphin Master!
Let be guide those swimmers,
Who crossed the borderline?
Oh! You are so cute dear
Dolphin Master!
His master returned home in the evening and found that Henry and a calf had not returned home. Then Henry was looking for that calf in the dark forest. He was scared. If he did not find the calf, the master might be punishing him, severely,
thinking that, he again started looking at the forest.
Exhaust, Henry once sat down under a tree and fell asleep very early. The boss has no frown on this side because he has done such many times. So, there is no benefit in just thinking.
When the lights of dawn shine, the birds chirping to the trees, Henry starved and drank water from the pond, then staring again. In search of the calf, he crossed the jungle and landed on a wide village road.
Then the Sun was overhead. He was much hungry. He couldn’t move a bit, and he sat down in the shade of a Banyan tree.
If only his parents were alive today. Then he didn’t suffer so much at that age. Thinking about all those, he lay down on a brick pillow and fell asleep. He had a dream.
In the dream,
he saw that his mother was cooking sweet rice pudding in a clay pot in two bricked ovens. His father used to work in the go-down of Babu. Rice and sugar were brought from there. No milk, no nuts. He asked his mother in sleep when it would be cooked.
Mother said in reply and be a little more patient.
Hearing this, he woke up. And the shadow moved far away from his face when he touched the lone brick of his head, his eyes filled with tears.
Two drops of tears flowed. He saw his mother in one drop and his father in the other in the far distance.
Those two faces are very blurry.
TEARS OF ROBOT
An old woman lived with an older robot in a big apartment. From there the very beautiful waves of the sea (Bay of Bengal) could be counted.
Every day when the housework was finished, that Robot used to stand on the balcony and count the waves. The Robot's memory was greatly reduced, and sometimes it makes a lot of noises.
The widow's son and daughter live abroad, so the old-fashioned robot follows her.
When the lockdown started here, people were not allowed to go out but it was a machine.
At this time many people were infected with the coronavirus, the old woman was not left out.
Then the old woman died one day due to Covid-19 being attacked, no one touched her, Robot sent the news to the hospital by itself.
And sent news to his son and daughter too, they had nothing to do then for mother. The whole world has been attacked with this epidemic for three months except in some countries.
Text at the end, "If I were a human being,"
“And if I could die, your mother would be alive."
The waves were rising then but the counting-man was not there present that day.
SHERINA (WONDER GIRL)
Whether a patient is a man or a woman of any religion, if it dies after being bitten by a snake, it will be floated on a banana raft in a tidal river. Ojha's house was by the river. (Ojha: is an occupational title found in persons of India or Indian origin and specialists on snake biting cases.)
Sherina, the female protagonist of this story was an outstanding beautiful Muslim young girl; she was just 18.
She was buried a day after being bitten by a snake.
Sherina's father wanted her to float in the tidal river but her grandfather loved her very much, Mahim Babu did not want to admit that his granddaughter had died one day ago.
And also known that some Ojha's character is not good at all, they can do something wrong with the patient after saving its life or marry her by own choice. So, he arranged for the burial without delay. The time had passed very slow and soundless.
After burying his holy body, Mahim Babu decided to guard the grave himself alone. Everyone thought he was crazy about his granddaughter's death.
So, he did not move one foot from the graveyard. Generally, the graveyard is situated in a calm and cool place and farthest from a well-populated area. He decided to pray for her soul to peace. Mahim Babu was a very wise and pious man. He kept on doing it till late at night. The storm arose and he got wet in the rain but it almost did not stop. He did not notice that many wild animals had passed by. After a while, an Angel appeared near him.
He was startled to call her by his name and opened his eyes to see an angel dressed in white. He said, "Let's go."
“Where? My lord” asked Mahim Babu with trembling voice.
“But, my granddaughter…!”
“She is sleeping now. She'll wake up after we leave this place and then she'll go to her own home.”
After both of them left, Sherina came out from the grave, wearing a beautiful dress as if she were a fairy, just a real fairy. When the morning light dawned, everyone saw that wonder girl; Sherina was holding Mahim Babu's clothes and crying.
Then she went home and talked about the night. Everyone was surprised to hear him.
“Is this possible?”
ELECTRIC TREE
A few days ago, Henry and his friend pitched a tent in a deep forest in the part of the Amazon where the fire broke out.
That is a rare species of tree. Its name is “Electric Tree”.
Many people know about different species of trees such as carnivorous trees or singing trees or music trees etc. But a tree that can hold on for a while through the lightning leaves of the sky.
And then the tree may be supplied the electricity with its roots wherever it wants according to its will.
Henry thought it was very interesting. “Where is the tree?”
Since then, they have had no sleep in their eyes.
A SLICE OF MOON
JAICA is the only daughter of the moon. She is very beautiful. Nowhere else in the Universe can she be compared?
That's why it's called a piece of the moon.
There are as many planets and satellites in this universe as there are aliens. These aliens are not like her.
They all came to see her.
At that time her ancestors came with three people and built him. That picture of him has kept even on a strange camera still date.
The moon has a science center, which is not visible to the human eye. So, people don't have anyone there. This idea is wrong.
There is another beautiful garden on the moon. Beautiful flowers bloom there.
The healthy attraction of the moon is JAICA beauty, her mother is very proud of her.
When the moon grows old, the light of the full moon will be spread by JAICA all over the world.
BLUE LAKE
I went to the northeastern Indian state of Nagaland for special office work. The work of the new road construction was very hard; I used to walk so far, every day that time. As I was walking, a sharper bone piece of a dead animal hit me and my shoe was torn off.
Seeing the bleeding, a man from the nearby village washed the wounds with the water of the blue lake. And he tied with a piece of cloth as a local bandage.
In the evening I returned to the tent and asked him if it was good medicine, where did he get it?
He told me the good story of that strange lake in his village. There was one indigo planter, very cooperative kindhearted as a man.
Most of the indigo planters were very oppressive but he was different. He made that lake for his work purpose. At a later time, after the country became independent, we saw this strange medicinal value in the water of that lake.
It can be called God's blessing also.
GHOST’S PETS
Shakil Ahmed’s house is only 1.50 kilometers from the railway station. Horse-drawn carriages or bullock-carts are available for this village muddy way. Sometimes people have to walk on this road. He was returning home from Saudi Arabia after about three years and bearing heavy luggage. After the mobile phone suddenly went cut off networking, no matter for him, it was no longer possible to keep in touch with the house. Now he is closer to home, so he did not try to communicate; the train was late for two hours, so he got off the train it would be 1.30 AM at midnight. No vehicles should be available at such a time. Going a little further towards the house way, he saw a bullock cart waiting there. The driver of the vehicle was his known person, uncle Rahim but somewhat changed. He wore white clothes, a white turban on his head, with a mature beard and mustache. His two bulls are so strong.
Shakil gasped to uncle Rahim, “Let’s go now.” As soon as he got up, the cart started moving very fast. It seemed like taken off the vehicle. He was very fearful. And lastly, it stopped in front of a broken old house before knowing where he was going. By this time, he was too tired to move. For a long way of train journey then again in this peculiar type travel, he was drowsy. Suddenly he was shocked and looked around and saw a haunted house. He remembered it was on the west end of their village, one much-speculated area. He scared and cried out in a trembling voice, “Uncleee Rahimmm?”
Latter, some terrible rough sounds listened very loudly. So, many roars, the cart was camped, when he opened his face and saw that uncle had cut one of bull and its bloody meat thrown towards the other bull and was eating himself too. Their eyes glow like high-powerful halogen lights.
Shakil fainted after seeing the events. When he gained consciousness in the morning, he asked the people around him, “Where Rahim Uncle?”
They said, “He died in an accident a long time ago.”
"49, Dream Avenue" is a glimpse into the depth of human psyche and the lost art of dreaming. This poetry collection sheds light on the rare ability of humans to imagine the unimaginable. Well done!
ReplyDeleteYour brilliant and meaningful compliments on the focusing of author depictions have been revealed. 100% agree with you, Neelam.
ReplyDeleteThank you Mr Ujjal 🙏
DeleteNice write!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your kind compliments about my short story, "WHITE LOTUS" Very kind of you,WD
ReplyDelete