~Bhim Darshan Rokka~
Translation : Maya Watson
Boudhist temple balanced, solid unparallel creation
within the temple, temples within temple
slayers upon layers of stone
resonating ring of bronze
seamless surfaces of brick
determined to stand eternal
I saw-filling my eyes
my heart brimming
raised aloft on a hundred hands
the artists take up history and stand
running in the pages of books
the magazines, the tourist’s cameras
bowed, standing before the temple
I saw-the refuse of years swept up in a heap
a doll of rags carried by the confluence
cast up on the shore
a desiccated root
a huddled old woman
given nothing
taking nothing
staring at the temple
herself, the temple-comparing
standing alongside
trying to reach the pages
the magazines, the tourist’s cameras
filling my eyes
my heart brimming with her.
Going toward the city
I saw ahead on the road
she was walking
leading me forward.
I look behind:the temple has faded into shadow.
(source : “POEMS OF BHIM DARSHAN ROKA” Book)
