THE SOLITARY SLEEPER

THE SOLITARY SLEEPER



The rough unpaved road converged on a small hamlet that lay half concealed in dense forest. I tramped the entire length of road, rejoicing in the way nature looked in the early spring. Everybody knows my craving and how crazy I am when it comes to rambling in our countryside. My mind was soaked in ecstasy with melodic birdsong in my ear; the verdancy of flora adorned the area and a little brook that sparkled added to the poignancy of my experience.

As I ambled along, drinking in the fields and the fruit they bore, my eyes lit upon a solitary lass, who stood amidst the barley field, toiling on her own. The wind whistled, playing a pleasant tune in my ear, and I paused to snatch a better look at her.
I grew curious about this singular lady, her village, her status. All manner of queries tickled my fancy. Agog was I, keen to unearth everything there was to know about her.
Closing in to a distance of a score or so metres, I could make out the smart apparel she wore. A hat designed to block the intense heat of the scorching sun stood out but the rest of her attire escaped my notice. Many thoughts ran through my mind as I drank in the vision of this bucolic beauty. My mind began to fashion an imaginary palace where I found myself in the lady’s embrace. Alluring, she’d enthralled me at first glance and I lay there, supine by her side.
She sang for me and a flock of birds circumambulated us, joining in. A strong gust of wind restored me to my wits. I shook my head to drive out empty thoughts. The lady remained there, still in the field. Had I my camera, I would have taken her snap, then kissed it. I marvelled at how a village girl could look so drop-dead gorgeous. Perhaps, she was the girl who slipped into my dreams and haunted me. The time for thoughts was over, I decided, now for the advance: get closer, get in some wooing.
Talk to her about love; when the words are withheld, they grow toxic and eat at one innards. It’s better to give in or else give up. Making up my mind thus, I zeroed in, eyes fixed on my destination.
Nobody would suspect how overwhelmed I was. A silly smile was on my face as I pictured myself conversing with the lady. I had a lot to share: about my expedition and, especially, about my suffocating feelings for her, secluded lady in the barley field.
My thoughts took me to the extent that I was talking to our children of the future, telling tales of how I met their mother, and the kids would applaud our love story.
I kept that stupid smile on my face as I fantasized on my way closer to this woman of my dreams. Getting real, I thought that, even if our life together was not akin to the fairy tale I conjured up which conclude “happily ever after,” we would still be blessed with enough joy to last a lifetime.
We are mortals and going to the grave may be our ultimate destination but ought not to be our ultimate aim. We must make our stay noteworthy. Fearing death, shall we cease loving?

No, never!
We are here to proliferate love and that is what keeps the world going round. The most meaningful aspect of life lies in loving. The lady I beheld before me was the one who confirmed my world view.
I walked towards her with my speeches prepared and, as I reached a distance of about a half a dozen meters, I became avid to see her face, so I began to pick up the tempo of my steps.
I reached near her but OH MY GOD! The lady was nowhere to be see. In her stead stood a well-simulated scarecrow looking exactly like a lovely lady. My dreams were shattered but I couldn’t help laughing. Surely, my buddies would have a belly-laugh when I told them about it!
Yet I did not discontinue my journey. Hope springs eternal. I kept walking in anticipation that I may meet my soul-mate, and really this time.







5th October, 2007


Karma Thukten
Life Science Sherubtse College
Kanglung Trashigang

THE OTHER SIDE OF BEAUTY

The other side of beauty

Her looks simulated angels above,
Her eyes much like the Venus star,
No mortals did ever pass by
Without gazing twice at her.

An immaculately maintained physique,
Elegant smile of a modest girl,
Undisputed angel on earth, all consented
She was the most charming of all.

All heart troubled earthly men
Would die to see her pulsating gait
That leave them astounded
The angel being infallibly made!

She had all the startling beauties
That in a lady, a man to adore
Even the most charming roses
Envied the beauty the lady bore.

But she had an indelible flaw
Reciprocated love with despise in lieu
And when of her beauty the world knew
Immense vanity in the lady grew

Every lovers longing for her proposed,
Prince, affluent, each one better
But each time pompous lady denied
They weren’t a match for her!

Days traced the trails of nights
Time sped past sparing no places,
Erstwhile paradigm of beauty looked a crone now
With folds and wrinkles all over her faces.

The gorgeous angel, hideous now
Got no love save for scorn
All spouses lived well save for her
Who on earth was left awfully alone!



Karma thukten

ESTRANGED LOVERS

Estranged lovers


Over the serene azure night,
Under the starry inundated skies,
Aloof, under a bough of a massive tree
Does she search for her lover with those angelic eyes.

With the queen moon on her golden throne
Woven out of her gleaming radiant rays,
The lady waits, leaning against the trunk
For profuse weeks, months and days!

The earth lie soaked in those brilliant beams
Sleeping- silent, tranquil and still, like the lake
But there’s a hope in those glittering eyes
That makes her brisk and wide awake.

Behind endless hills and snow-capped mountains,
In the state of Uttarakhand is he,
The love of her, equally traumatized
And agonized to the extremities one can be.

She might still be waiting persistently,
As the roses bloom, wither and eventually goes
For her never returning love
Under the skies as usual, who knows???



Karma Thukten

WAITING FOR YOU

To sway the elegant self,

To avert scorching warmth of glow,

Shall the blooming flowers await

The gentle breeze to blow!

To appease unendurable hunger,

For the nourishments to draw,

Shall the famished worms await

The tender shoots to grow!

To liven up crops on dead dry substratum,

The trust the season did embezzle,

Shall the perturbed farmers await

For a blessed heavenly drizzle!

To solace the sight of old weary eyes,

‘ere with life she’s done,

shall the age-crippled mother await

the return of her only son!

To pour out my concealed words within,

To whisper my words close to your ear,

Shall I, anxiously await

For your presence my dear

Karma thutken