Poems by Chaitali Chattopadhyay
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A Woman’s Journal
Ten past six, he turns again in the bed. I pack the child’s tiffin. Quick! Quick! The school bus is here. I am also running. I’m my child’s age . . . Twenty-five past eight, with tea and sunlight, I wake him. Slow rumbles of hunger revving up— Hell! I better pack him off with his mini-lunch box. Goodness me! Shall I miss the train again? Sixteen past eleven, the “Don’t Disturb” sign hanging outside the boss’s room. Briefing over. The boss goes his usual way, rubbing his feet on mine. Two past two. With Mitali. Leaves flying. Looking at space. What tree is it? Semul or palash? Shall we bet? Then Chinese . . . Seven-thirty, back home but much to do. He invites a friend for dinner. For me, aching feet and the hilsa brought from the dimming rail-market light. Six past nine, he’s not yet back. He’ll return soon. Will he? I’m dog-tired. Dinner’s on the table. He’s yet to show up. My eyes thirsty, I keep the friend engaged in gossip. The mustard tang breathes all over the house. Fifteen to twelve. Thinking of myself? My hands are on his body, but no flame burns. Isn’t that the thing? Or is it the drop of blood on the pillow. Translated by Jonaki Ray, with inputs from Dr B. C. Ray |
Chaitali Chattopadhyay worked as a science teacher before turning to copywriting and editing. She has published several books of poems, a novel as well as a collection of short stories. She is a recipient of many awards, including the Vishnu Dey Award, Uday Bharati National Award and Meerabai Award.
Jonaki Ray was educated in India (Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur) and the USA (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign). A scientist by education and training, she is now a poet, writer, and editor in New Delhi. Her work has been published in Poetry, Poetry Wales, The Rumpus, Indian Literature, and elsewhere. Firefly Memories, her debut collection of poems, was published in 2023.
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