I Will Drench You in the Color of Love

I will no longer give you the seven colors of the rainbow,

I have saved only the color of love for you now.

Upon this withered body that had shed all its leaves,

Fresh green foliage has sprouted once again.

Look!!!

See how I am evergreen now.

The bumblebee that had lost its way for many days,

I have called it back into the garden.

At your slightest gesture, it will wander

From this flower to that flower.

To welcome you, I have kept

A thornless rose.

I have perfumed the courtyard with the scent of jasmine,

And amidst the thick canopy of the mango tree that has just blossomed,

I have told the cuckoo to sing a song of welcome for you.

The Krishnachuda (Gulmohar) trees will look

Even more vibrant this time.

When you come this time,

I will absolutely never say that I am too busy.

I will write poetry just for you.

If you so wish, I will bring love songs

From the enchanted poet of romance

And sing them to you, staying awake all night long.

The morning will break only after you wake up,

And the night will fall the moment you go to sleep.

Whatever you desire shall happen,

I will accept everything with a bowed head.

I have drenched you in the Phagu (Holi) colors of spring many times,

But this time, I will drench you purely in the color of love.

Winter has departed, and spring has arrived now;

May our hearts and age not wither away like falling leaves.

If you wish, come during this beautiful hour

And serve the sweet nectar of love…

Serve the sweet nectar of love.

— Ratnamaya Tripathy

Adhyayana, Balangir

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Original Odia : Ratnamaya Tripathy

Translated by : Dr. Khyatimaya Tripathy