Come, Let Us Sit in Silence for a While

Come, let us sit in silence for a while.

No matter which season holds its court outside,

Let us simply become like the sculptures of Konark.

Whatever thoughts may cross anyone’s mind upon seeing us,

Let us only think of each other.

Come, let us sit in silence for a while.

You must remember the evenings of our childhood—

The riverbank, the deep orchards, and the game of hide-and-seek.

The playful, make-believe anger, and the silent hurts (Abhimana).

Let us search once again for those childhood paper boats.

Come, let us sit in silence for a while.

The flower that slipped from your braided hair,

The half-written poem in the rough notebook,

Your anklet—which you hid away while pretending

That it was lost and could not be found anywhere in the river sand,

And the Abir (colored powder) from your hands that drenched me in spring—

Are all still treasured safely with me.

Let us open the old diary and read the ghazals of our memories.

Come, let us sit in silence for a while.

Let the raindrops bring an intoxication to the heart,

Let the body crave the warmth of love in the winter fog.

Be it in the scorching heat of summer or the gentle breeze of spring,

Let us sit and experience love all by ourselves.

Come, let us sit in silence for a while.

I know you are terrified of the eyes of the world,

While I am someone who faces every storm with an open chest.

Here, our quiet moments together

Might cause a loud commotion in someone else’s bedroom;

Therefore, let us build a beautiful wall all around us.

Come, let us sit in silence for a while.

You may refuse to be anointed with the Abir of affection,

You may turn your eyes away, rejecting

The gift of love offered by my hands.

I promise you, I will neither question

Nor demand any answers from you.

Let us both simply drench ourselves in the silent colors of love.

Come, let us sit in silence for a while.

— Ratnamaya Tripathy

Adhyayana, Balangir

Original Odia : Ratnamaya Tripathy

Translated by : Dr. Khyatimaya Tripathy