Poems by Mamang Dai

 
Prayer flags
 
Like delicate tracery
you mapped the delusions of my heart,
planning the evening, and the rain;
It was revenge, and I did not know,
not recognising your art.
 
We speak of rebirth,
the cycle of life and death;
But words are faithless----
I ask you again:
who prays to the wild wind,
who cries to the first sky--
You bring me pain,
Oh! You bring me pain!
 
We should have known
life’s little madness would find us again.
Keeper of the holy mountain
facing the four heavens,
the art of healing is slow with doubt
but all life is turning in shadow image---
 
Now my cup is empty.
I only know
the sun and moon
crown the heart of the blade. 
 
 
Prayer flags- (2)
 
The wet mountain road.
This is where we spent all our time
wondering if we would get across.
 
Someone planted a prayer flag in my heart.
Green---- living, yellow---earth,
White---clouds and juniper incense
mingled with the blue left by a sea
that once owned this land.
 
Perhaps the storm will blow it down
Someday, after it has halted the wind
a thousand times.
 
We found each other yesterday,
when they told us the past is over.
Now we are floating smudges of colour
flying high over the mountain barrier.

About the Poet

A poet and novelist Mamang Dai received the state Verrier Elwin Award in 2003 for her book Arunachal Pradesh- the hidden land featuring the culture, folklore and customs of Arunachal’s different communities.  She has been featured in several national and international forums, and her poems, fiction and articles have been published in numerous journals and anthologies. In 2011 Dai was awarded the Padma Shri  for her contributions in the field of literature and education. Currently she is Member, Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission.