Someone had told me
To keep the window open all through the night.
Whether it was a request or a command—
Without understanding,
I left the window wide open.
During the first watch of the night, came the fragrance of jasmine;
During the second watch, the bright, spotless moon.
During the third watch, the voice of some unknown bird,
And during the fourth watch, an unseasonal rain arrived—
Drenching the window railings
Along with the calendar on the table,
The poetry diary, and the flower vase.
Yet, the window remained completely open.
In the morning, I asked,
“Why did you tell me to keep the window open
Last night…?”
Smiling softly, she replied,
“You silly (Buddhu)…
You couldn’t sleep last night, could you?
You spent the entire night thinking only of me.
That is exactly why I had told you
To keep the window open…”
— Ratnamaya Tripathy
Adhyayana, Balangir
Original Odia : Ratnamaya Tripathy
Translated by : Dr. Khyatimaya Tripathy
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