Words
Saratchand Thiyam *
The air was thick with thunderous applause
People had broken out in shouts
Hands had clapped feverishly
At each and every word of Gulzar
At each and every utterance of Javed Akhtar
Everyone had been transported
To meadows and forests
To paths and roads in the morning, evening and night
In the rain, sunshine and moonlight
One and all had crossed
Rivers, lakes and oceans
Riding boats of remembrance without the need of asking,
Silence had prevailed again
When each and every word of Shafi Shauq carried them away
Crossing mountains in the midst of thick snow
Amidst the tussle between sun and snow.
Everyone had started looking up again
When each and every word of Nilmani Phookan carried them away
Amidst the confrontation between two hearts.
Among those who had remained united.
A crack seemed to have developed
When each and every word carried them away;
The long crack
Seemed to have widened,
To fill in the gaps with words
Those who can use words aptly
Are now searching fervidly.
Manipuri : Wahei
Translated by : Tayenjam Bijoykumar Singh
* Poem written by Saratchand Thiyam for Hueiyen Lanpao
This poem was webcasted on April 03 2015.
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