Neera at DifferentTruths.com unveils a Baul poet’s enchanted encounter with a mysterious girl, weaving stars, fireflies, and transformative songs.
His father, Gauranga Baul, made stars sparkle
till they danced with fireflies in the forest,
firecrackers setting hearts aflame.
He felt his own songs as fragments
of words sung without the self-forgetfulness
of his kin – freed from ties, bound by love.
He had a guard, a reticence, a splinter.
Fragments like rags floated in his songs,
fractures, veins broken beneath his skin.
Her appearance was sudden: a girl of ten.
She asked for his ektara; sought to sing.
Led him to a spot where she stood very still.
Lifted the ektara to the stars; then sang.
The stars danced with the fireflies,
setting his heart aflame.
She smiled, gave back his ektara,
melted into the night.
His rags became a weave of purple satin.
He knew
She knew.
Poet’s Note: This poem is based on a short story by Anu Majumdar that appeared in the international anthology, Rangamati, edited by Arindam Roy, 2024.
Picture design by Anumita Roy
Neera Kashyap is a writer of short fiction, poetry, essays and book reviews whose work has appeared in several international literary journals and anthologies. Her collection of short fiction is in the pipelines with Niyogi Books, and a poetry manuscript is under review. Her book reviews have
appeared in Kitaab, The Bangalore Review, Café Dissensus, RIC Journal, Quiver Review, The Wise Owl & Hooghly Review (forthcoming).
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