Sunday, September 21, 2014

Guwahati-Brahmaputra--By Sunil Uniyal--India

Guwahati-Brahmaputra

an early monsoon morning :
ferries begin to ply
their day on the Brahmaputra

four white egrets shoot across
to the greens beyond

a clever mynah excuses herself
to perch on a ferry

twigs of anonymous trees -
like some promises rudely broken -
are carried away by swollen waters

while grey clouds
gently take wings
to reveal the forehead of a distant hill

I suddenly uncoil myself -
as if from a dream -
to walk the stinking alleys...
once again !

Sunil Uniyal ( born 1953-) is a poet and translator based in New Delhi, India. He has been writing haiku and poems for over thirty years and many of these have appeared in e-journals like Muse India, Kritya, AHA Poetry, Poetica Magazine, Sketch Book, Notes From the Gean, A Hundred Gourds and Haiku Dreaming Australia. His work in translation includes, The Target is Behind the Sky -Fifty Poems of Kabir, brought out by the Low Price Publications, Delhi in February 2012.

13 comments:

  1. WOW what imagery! I loved the contrast of the last verse with the first ones. Would that we all keep our focus on the beauties of tthis God given world? It sure helps our "stink'n think'n". :) Thank you for sharing your wonderfully written haiku poem and talent.
    Charlene

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    1. Thank you, Charlene, for your very encouraging comments. Warm regards.

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  2. 'twigs of anonymous trees, like some promises rudely broken' - lovely image
    Maureen Sudlow

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    1. Thank you, Maureen, for your appreciation. Warm regards.

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  3. Sunil, what a glorious group in your sextet of life in this world. It is a cold reality when we 'really see' and yet, what else do we have to go by except sweet dreams and precious hope? Please consider allowing me the privilege of posting your talent on my site at: www.poetryandbeyond.net - I love reading you here on this Whispers venue. Love how your poems project a bit of life, a bit of humor and a bit of cynicism, too............. wonderfully done! Sheri

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    1. Thank you, Sheri, for going through the poem and giving your very enthralling comments. I'm honoured you have invited me to post on your web site. Sure, I'll shortly do so. Warm regards.

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  4. This is excellent, Sunil!! Those broken twigs compared to broken promises is my favourite part. The end part brings us back to stark reality. // paul

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    1. Thank you, Paul, I'm very grateful to you for your appreciation. Warm regards.

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  5. Hi Sunil

    You have a keen eye for the natural beauty that the Brahmaputra offers and a gift for its description.
    I sense a frustration at the carelessness of the people around you to this beauty.
    Perhaps your words will help them gain an appreciation.

    Best wishes

    David

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    1. Thank you, David, for your comments. To quote Keats, 'a thing of beauty is a joy forever.' I believe that poetry should not only mirror the beauty around us, but also hold the mirror to our own self. Warm regards.

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  6. I really enjoyed this, Sunil. Thank you for sharing and continued blessings!

    -MJ (www.tgbtgpublictions.com)

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    1. Thank you, Maurice, for liking the poem. I'm beholden to you for your comments. Warm regards.

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  7. well done - consider emailing haiku/senryu/'shorties' to bear creek haiku, darylayaz@me.com bearcreekhaiku.blogspot.com

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