Like all the past years
This Dashain was no different for me
A flow of copious booze and blood
Whilst the slaughtering of my conscience
Continued
For me, Dashain came, and went
Insignificant days that did not matter
But thanks to someone unseen
In this time of kaliyuga
Something unexpected happened to Maili BiKa
This Dashain for Maili BiKa
Came with a small chicken
Ten packets of noodles
Five manas of flattened rice
And new clothes for her children
These became significant days
In some small ways
When gestures of kindness
Came this Dashain for Maili BiKa
Like rhododendrons blooming on a nearby hill
Warming rays on a house, damp and chill
Slaughtering my wisdom
Dashain passed me by
But for Maili BiKa
Dashain came and stayed on
As a treasured gift for years coming by.
Translation, by author himself | 7 October 2011, Kathmandu
Mishra plans to translate more of his poems after he retires from politics. His Nepali poems have been compiled in ‘Rabindra Mishraka Kabita’. Please go to the BOOKS section to find out more about his poetry book and where to purchase it.
