Guna’s poem explores the complexities of affection, highlighting its silence and unresponsiveness until separation, exclusively for Different Truths.

It was gleaming
with the gaze
 
Affection is dumb,
Affection is deaf,
 
Like a speaker, it did not speak about
the matter
like a listener, it did not listen to
 
Till the moment of parting
it kept waiting in the eyes
 
In the thick green
of the desolate woods
A tune is ringing faintly
 
Gazing at the eyes
I want to see
 
Is it still alive?
 
Oh dear!
No way, no way
 
Cleaving the heart
comes out
a curious sigh
 
In the teary gaze
is it still alive?

Original poem titled “Anurag tomar babe”  

                                                Translated from Assamese by Nirendra Nath Thakuria

Picture design by Anumita Roy

Guna Moran

Guna Moran is a renowned Assamese poet and book reviewer, with over 300 published poems in international magazines and journals. He won the Creator of Justice Award 2020, and his work has been translated into several languages. Moran has published three poetry books and participated in poetry programs in the USA, Hong Kong, Bangladesh, Mumbai, and in Indian cities, Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, West Bangla. He participated in the VI Open Eurasian Literary Festival ‘Lift’ (2022).