Poems by Agni Roy

Graphic Darkness
​
Across the pages of the graphic novel
charcoal evening sets in,
dousing megapixels.
Let’s say that the tensity around layout is
as per the allotted schemes of cities and forests,
just as it happens ahead of a crucial match.
There’s no stadium here, only
creeks at places, paradisiac pebbles
hungry eyes of dull beasts, taciturn.
If such a moon rises,
one might feel the thirst,
and if wish be - get set to taste the thunder*!
Yet
The dazzling stream from a few pages back,
 turns vaporous, carrying its plastic pain
and forests gradually disappear
in the steaming heat of terrorism…
Just now
In this graphic darkness …
 
 Note:
*Taste the thunder refers to the popular advertisement of a soft drink.


Kali puja

For three days, worship the sun to make the tray full of explosives even more dangerous. Upon the pack is the short skirt of an unknown siren; her hand spreading granules of fire-dupatta from one neighbourhood to the next. In the old localities,marble statues of Pannalal and Dhananjay* have turned sombre, seeped in nostalgia. ‘I find time for all my work, but no time to take your name’** – even then the police enter the neighbourhood at night to stop the yell of the bang. Till the night turns black, till the tantrik’s eyes hibiscus red, till brutality is mixed into the exhilaration of sacrifice, the old men will sneer at these as just a mere display of fireworks. 
 
Notes:
* Pannalal Bhattacharya and Dhanajay Bhattacharya were two noted singers of Shyamasangeet, or devotional songs dedicated to Goddess Kali.
** A line from one of the popular ShyamaSangeet.


translated by Nabanita Sengupta

Agni Roy is the author of 8 collections of poetry. He has received The Bijon Bhattacharya Memorial Prize for his poetry. He has translated a book of African Short stories (Tapto Din Dirgho Ratri) published by National Book Trust, Banquet speech of 20 Nobel laureates lecture (Literature) published by Tobuo Proyas. He has also edited a short story collection of Selina Hossain for National Book Trust. His Poetry and prose have appeared in Desh Patrika, Ananda Bazar Patrika, Proma, Krittibas, Raktamangsho, Ebong Mushaira and other venues.

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