Even after reading the lines of your own destiny and future yourself, How can you manage To live with so much joy...? Being so far away from your loved ones, How do you still manage to weave Bonds of deepest reverence...? Ahead lies a completely dark and desolate road, Yet, where do you find the courage To keep advancing forward...? While the entire path is filled with questioning eyes, How can you still walk your way smoothly...? Amongst the familiar, friendly faces, Are you unable to see Their mocking, derisive smiles...? Here, when light arrives, even one's own shadow Abandons the body. To apply healing ointment on a wound of the right hand, Even the left hand refuses out of sheer contempt. Within the sweet messages of well-wishes, Can you really not see The venom of bitter criticism...? Beholding the urn of nectar (Amruta Kalasa), Before you close your eyes to drink from it, Recall Chanakya’s verse, just once! — Ratnamaya Tripathy Adhyayana, Balangir Original Odia : Ratnamaya Tripathy Translated by : Dr. Khyatimaya Tripathy Want to read this poem in Odia ? Click Here Want to read this poem in Hindi ? Click Here

Uprooting the trees of sorrow from your courtyard, And planting them within my own, Look now, how they have bloomed With the beautiful flowers of happiness! Now, you tell me— Will you come to pluck these flowers away, Or will you bring some more trees of sorrow From your courtyard to give me as a gift...? Awaiting your answer....... Yours, Me — Ratnamaya Tripathy Adhyayana, Balangir Original Odia : Ratnamaya Tripathy Translated by : Dr. Khyatimaya Tripathy Want to read this poem in Odia ? Click Here Want to read this poem in Hindi ? Click Here

Seeing me online until late into the night, Do not ever think that I am losing sleep As I drift away in thoughts of you. Going to bed without turning off my mobile data Has simply become a habit of mine now. When you call, does my number always show busy...? Well... remaining constantly occupied with work Has become my absolute duty now. Seeing me pass by the front of your house every single day, Do not assume that you should appear on your balcony. It is not to catch a glimpse of you, my dear— The road on the other side is blocked, And taking your street has just become a necessity now. Sundays mornings once used to belong entirely to you, But now, the mornings of every single day Belong solely to me. Writing poems centered around love and separation Has become quite outdated now. I heard that you read my poems on Facebook...? Why do you try to look for yourself Within every single verse...? Perhaps you do not know this yet— Thinking of anyone with the depth of intense love Has been strictly forbidden for me now. — Ratnamaya Tripathy Adhyayana, Balangir Original Odia : Ratnamaya Tripathy Translated by : Dr. Khyatimaya Tripathy Want to read this poem in Odia ? Click Here Want to read this poem in Hindi ? Click Here

Just now, from inside the house, The winter has stepped out— From the body, from the mind, and from thoughts. The sleep suddenly broken By someone’s phone call Craves a warm, gentle touch. In the rich aroma of the teacup, The newly written schedule of the day Feels fresh and new. The messages on the mobile screen No longer bring much excitement. Yet, at the certainty of someone’s calling voice, The feet step forward… Though the laziness still refuses to break. "It’s been so many days since you came for a walk; Are you afraid of the winter... Or of your promises?" The dreams of the night, The half-written poems, And the warmth of the body Look so innocent nestled inside the blanket. But outside, The fog trapped in the veil of the saree (Panata), The dew resting on the palms, And the tender rays of the morning sun— Are all waiting. The hands no longer reach out For those romantic, enchanting poems Read until midnight. In the desperate hope of a restless, passionate embrace, The morning winter keeps gesturing with its hands From the other side of the window. — Ratnamaya Tripathy Adhyayana, Balangir Original Odia : Ratnamaya Tripathy Translated by : Dr. Khyatimaya Tripathy Want to read this poem in Odia ? Click Here Want to read this poem in Hindi ? Click Here