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10-Chitralekha

Chitralekha

Having painted on both eyes

suddenly vanished

Chitralekha the enchantress

She planted

in heart

the garden of Babylon

It is swaying 

in heart

heavenly flowers are  blooming

Everyday  we hear

melodious calls of painted birds

You are the gardener

of the hanging garden

I know you won’t come back again

Yet amidst the clouds

will be shining

the radiant smile of the sun

Guna Moran

(Note: Chitralekha was the boon companion of Usha, the daughter of the King Baan of the Sonitpur kingdom in Assam (India) of the Mahabharata era. Chitralekha had magical skills at painting and portraiture in particular.)
(Original Assamese poem titled “Chitralekha”)
Tr. © Nirendra Nath Thakuria
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