Just now, into the five elements, A body dissolved and merged. Along with that body, burned away All the sorrows of her life, Her grievances and silent hurts (Abhimana), And the stories of the Puranas she had gathered. That joyful smile visible from a distance, And the hand of affection over my head—all are gone. The sweet cry of "Mausi" (Aunt) Has been lost from the lips forever. To recall a passage from the scriptures, I can no longer make a loving demand of her. If I pass by the road near her house And alter my path to avoid her, There is no one left to scold me anymore. Above and beyond all earthly honors, Where shall I find a place worthy of you, Mausi...? In the lamp I have lit for you, I will pour my deepest offerings of reverence and respect. — 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

Now, for some time again, One has to remain in complete silence. The tsunami that rose from the ripples Of a single pebble thrown into the water— Must now be faced. Who knew that a strike from a crab, Floating down with the rushing current, Would dissolve and destroy An age-old relationship? Now, without forging any new bonds, One has to remain in silence. Sometimes, even the mirror lies, And one's own shadow commits a mistake In all the mathematics of life. Who knew that the newly planted trees Would bear poisonous fruits so soon? Now, swallowing all that venom, One has to become Nilakantha (Lord Shiva). Do not show the way to a lost traveler, Do not give even a drop of rice-water (Torani) to the hungry. For who knows, the hand extended to help Might end up being bound in iron chains. In this game of dice between truth and lies, The lie always wins. Truth does not even get the chance To prove itself as the truth. Absorbing the ticking sound of time within oneself, Now, for many days to come, One has to remain in silence... —————– — 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

In a river that is slowly drying up, Becoming a tributary And wishing to keep it forever flowing; To a loosening, weakening grip of the hand, Extending their own hand To make that hold even stronger; Covering up every falsehood, And providing the immense courage To look the absolute truth in the eye; Piercing through the hard rocky floor to rise above, Becoming both the anchoring root and the nourishing fertilizer... All such noble souls... are indeed true friends. — 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

I had never seen a garden quite like this, Never had I seen so many flowers and bumblebees. Youth hiding behind the trees, Old age resting on the cement platforms, The future playing on the grass carpets, And on the walking trail— Time engaged in an effort to heal a few weary, unkempt bodies. The water from the fountain Was sculpting rainbows in the morning sun. The dewdrops on the grass created the illusion of pearls, But the flowers blooming upon the benches Were no illusion; they felt beautifully alive and fresh. Leaving behind all the exhaustion of the night Tucked inside her blanket, She was gathering the morning warmth into her winter clothes. The color on her lips had not yet faded, The kohl had not yet left her eyes. Adjusting her slipping veil with care, She was resetting her anklets. Her footsteps slowed down, Her eyes filled with a shy grace. Just as she straightened her sweat-drenched body, Tired from walking and walking… The whistle of the pressure cooker broke the dream. From the kitchen, a voice called out: "Aren't you going for your walk today? It's already getting late..." — 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