In Love With Jatinga

By Dr.Tapati Baruah Kashyap

It is a collection of 50 poems written by Dr Tapati Baruah Kashyap in the backdrop of Jatinga, Haflong and other places of natural beauty in Dima Hasao district of Assam, India.

• Language: English
• Publisher: One Point Six Technologies Pvt Ltd
• Release date: Sep 18, 2018

Book preview

1

Sunrise on the Borail

The dark green mountain

was staring at me.

I was a complete stranger,

But, I could recognize the silent language

of the majestic Borail,

and its many virgin folds.

As if I was a frequent visitor.

Guarding affectionately

the simple folks of those villages

from time immemorial,

the Borail has an imposing presence,

Also waiting to usher in guests

like a well-decked elephant.

I could also perceive the nature of

the inherently peaceful villages

dotting the mountain,

where joyful people toil hard

day in and day out.

Sitting on the veranda of

The old Circuit House

I talk to the dew-drenched trees

and dainty flowers – red, pink and blue.

Can I touch you this winter morning,

O’ rising sun?

Peeping out, like a bride from behind a veil

You start painting the sky,

red and blue, with soft-white cloud.

I pick up the rays, one by one,

And weave them with the cool breeze

to reach out to you.

Down below,

A few mountain dwellers begin their day,

As the sun moves up,

Step by step,

Every second a new frame.

How long did you take,

How many seconds

To light up this whole world

Hiding below the Borail?

Suddenly,

a train peeps out from the tunnel far below,

to break the silence.

A nameless bird takes off to the sky,

To take a full view

Of the sun and the train

And sing to you this winter morning,

As Jatinga, Khandong, Unrong,

And a dozen other villages

wake up by the Diyung.

The sun-rays break free from the cool breeze,

And Haflong, you become a bird up in the sky.

2

The bird-watching tower

"Welcome the coming birds,

Let them live and add attraction

To the Jatinga Valley."

Perched on the mountain slope,

This watch-tower

Welcomes us, and those unknown guests...

When thick fog drapes the mountain-side

And the night is sure a moonless one,

When the wind blows, from south to north,

Why is your sky so full of countless birds?

Herons, egrets, bitterns, teal,

Cuckoos, drongos, quails and swifts.

Wood-ducks, fly-catchers, doves,

Moorhens, curlews, shrikes and partridges...

Why do they rush to the burning light?

Oh, why do they go mad only here?

Why do they die, on this mountain slope,

On the pathway of rain and water,

in your lap, Jatinga?

My peace-loving folks,

At this remote end of your village,

Stands this tower

with pride and warmth

To welcome those

unknown guests of the night,

to this village.

Strolling