Malabika Ray Choudhury Poet Romanticism

Notes About The Poem

This is a translation of a poem I wrote in Bengali. 
April 30, 2026

Met You Only Once

I saw you only once. 
You were draped in a saree, 
The cerulean colour of the sea-waves,
Your hair was in braids,
Reminded me of the darkest cloud in the rainy season, 
Your face was devoid of any embellishment, 
Your body was not adorned with ornaments, 
As if you, the woman of my dream, my treasured beloved, 
had risen from the bottom of the ocean, 
Only for me. 

I felt numb when I found you, 
You are the one I was searching for all my life, 
an image of perfection I envisioned, 
You are the one who I want to cherish all my life, 
You are the one I feel fortunate to be with, 
You are right in front of me, 
But you are not mine! 

Where were you so long, which corner of the universe? 
Why did I never have a chance to meet you? 
May be on the sandy shores of Arabian Sea, 
Why not in a far corner of Thor desert? 
Why didn’t you appear to me under the canopy of a starlit sky, 
wiping all darkness from my life? 

You are the eternal gift I waited for, 
I saw you once, only once, 
We never met again!

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Andrea Dietrich May 15, 2026 at 7:23 PM Wow Mala. Great translation of a poem in Bengali. Is that what you speak ? A fave Malabika Ray Choudhury May 15, 2026 at 7:55 PM Yes, Andrea, this is the translation of a poem I wrote in Bengali, the language I grew up with. A Fave!!! How do I thank you enough? Love, my Kind friend! It makes me so happy!

Valsa George May 5, 2026 at 9:32 PM Dear Mala, such chance meetings sometimes happen, not often, may be once in life, but may spark feelings of love at the very first sight. That image will not fade, but linger a life time. Very passionate and beautifully composed.

sara Etgen-Baker May 3, 2026 at 4:30 PM awww, a bit sad after reading your poem. I, too, have one that got away....regret it to this day. Malabika Ray Choudhury May 3, 2026 at 5:02 PM Really! We make mistakes when young…and regret for rest of the life! Glad you liked the poem.