Look, in your long period of silence……
See how much commotion fills the entire city.
The decision that I had taken,
The steps that I had advanced—
Were they wrong or were they right?
Where is the time to sit and judge……?
In this city, it takes no time for rumors to spread,
And it takes no time at all to suffocate a voice.
Yet, I stand absolutely unyielding
In the decision I have made.
I have no regrets over your rejection;
My only sorrow is this—
That I made a grave mistake
In recognizing the true nature of a heart.
The earth must be drenched by now,
The forests and orchards must be soaked
In the very first rain of the month of Asadha.
But within the garden of my heart,
A desolate monsoon of Shravana rages on,
Drenching me now solely
In the pouring clouds of memories.
The one for whom you are lighting
The evening lamp right now—
Look……
It is not for the sake of the light, my dear;
Losing its direction, a soul destroys itself
In the desperate hope of finding a life.
Someone once said
That silence is a sign of consent.
Because of your long period of silence,
Today, I am the one who stands defamed
Across the entire city.
— Ratnamaya Tripathy
Adhyayana, Balangir
Original Odia : Ratnamaya Tripathy
Translated by : Dr. Khyatimaya Tripathy
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