An evocative poem about the call to remain awake, by Rituparna, exclusively for Different Truths.

‘Jaagte raho!  Jaagte raho[i]!’
Oh!  how I want to yell! 
 
I see myself through my window panes
clad in a turban, holding a lantern,
walking up and down the lanes,
whistling to my tunes of yell. 
 
‘Jaagte raho!  Jaagte raho!’
Oh!  how I want to yell! 
 
Lanes are dark and lonely.
The only companion is me.
Street lights are red eyed giants, 
and my shadow follows me. 
 
‘Jaagte raho!  Jaagte raho!’
Oh!  how I want to yell! 
 
I never go to bed at night,
the street is my home and hearth.
I am the watchman of my land
chasing the shadows with my lamp. 
 
‘Jaagte raho!  Jaagte raho!’
Oh!  how I want to yell! 

[i] Call by a chowkidar to remain alert and awake.

Visual by Different Truths

Rituparna Khan

Rituparna Khan is an Assistant Professor in Geography at Bidhannagar College, Salt Lake, Kolkata. Her inclination to Literature, especially poetry is no less.  A few of her works are published and well appreciated and awarded in print as well as social media. Her first book, a collection of short stories, was launched at Kolkata International Book Fair, this year.

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