An Ode to my House
Yojna *
I have a house in Dong busty Peshok tea garden
We used to grow tea, oranges, cardamom, vegetables and spices
We lived with two cows, one pig, many hens and a dog named Bulu
Occasionally wild boars and monkeys used to visit.
Our house faced north towards Kalimpong & South to Teesta valley
In the evening I danced with my sister to songs played in All India radio
While Ama cooked in the chulla
Apa used pine from our garden to smudge the house
Wednesday & Friday was a grand affair as we watched Chitrahar in Doordarshan
along with our neighbours in battery powered TV
As many seasons have changed so has my life
Thus, here I am giving an ode to my house
Oh house ! You stand still even in the midst of storm
Scorched by the sun, battered by rainfall, shaken by wind
Yet you stand still
Your nook & corners many times a child play
Sometimes to hide, read, cry or vent
A lovers nest, a place to rest a tired soul
Yet you stand still
You have been beautified in ceremonies
Renovated, extended, carved to accommodate
Yet you stand still
You have seen the rise & fall
You have seen birth & death of beloved
You are a store house of secrets
Yet you stand still
* Poem written by Yojna for The Sangai Express This poem was webcasted on 05 May 2023 .
* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.