Aniruddha Pathak Poet Narrative

The Hungry Stones, The knight of a bygone era- VIII

With trembling heart, as an attempt I made
To leap across, he woke up with a start,
The heavy sword fell with clattering clang; 
A scream so terrifying made me jump, 
I saw me leaping from my bed, sweating,
A crescent moon looked pale in morning light,
I looked a weary sleep-starved man at dawn,
And heard poor Maher Ali scream aloud, 
As was his daily custom while he strode,
‘Stand back, stand back', he yelled winding his way.
Such abrupt was the end of my first night
That awaited a thousand more of fright!
                  …….
A yawning gulf grew wide between my nights, 
A worn out and tired me going to work,
Cursing last bewitching night's weird dream,
Yet, all new nights came pledging new promise,
Though shackles of my work were far from sham,
The nightfall would catch me in eerie thrall,
To overwhelm me with its potent spell, 
Intoxicating and overpowering,
When I’d get reborn as an unknown knight
Of a bygone era, playing my part
In ancient histories which scarce were writ, 
My modern English coat and breeches tight 
Stood far apart from my mind's fairy role; 
In red velvet cap, pyjamas too loose,
An embroidered tight vest, flowing silk gown,
What varied-scented colorful display! 
Musing o'er an elaborate toilet,
I'd sit on a high-cushioned velvet chair,
A hookah filled with rose water in place
Of a usual cigarette and proud face,
In eager anticipation to meet,
Who else? My first night's sorely missed nymphet,
Black beast, pet aversion and dark secret,
But for that spoil-sport eunuch's blocking feet!
_____________________________________________
Narrative |01.04.2024|
Note: A poetic translation of Rabindranath Tagore’s story in Bengali: Kshudhaarto Paashaana,
divided in I to XIII parts, largely in blank verse that lapses into rhymes along with its twists and turns. The story is known to have happened during Tagore’s stay at Shaahibaug palace in Ahmadabad, the nearby river Sabarmati becoming river Suista in the story.

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