By Gopi Krishna Dhungana
Accumulating smiles on its natural lips
Rejoicing the welcome of sunrise from Tiger Hill
The organs and limbs on the body of the young tea plants
And gleaning innocence on the quiet appearance
‘Darjeeling’ is peeping at ‘Nepal’.
Blemish not seen anywhere, sensitive but delicate
Conceiving the mountain of self- confidence
Kindling the earthenware lamp of culture in a foreign land
Holding the pleasure and happiness of offspring on the lap
‘Darjeeling’ is peeping at ‘Nepal’.
Looking the world with eyes of motherhood and brotherhood
Always entangling in language and literature thoughtfully,
Though miles away from the Mt. Everest
Sticking Tenzing and Hillary on its heart
‘Darjeeling’ is peeping at ‘Nepal’.
Startles, throbs and again awakes!
It has died a million times for independence and liberty.
For the continuity of tradition and recognition
Babbling day and night and night and day
‘Darjeeling’ is peeping at ‘Nepal’.
Two lives, attempting to survive in a single breath
Even by being two sides of a river,
Regaining senses and weeping from lunacy
Eventually keeping the possibility of reunion at the horizon
‘Darjeeling’ is peeping at ‘Nepal’.
Trans: Kul Chandra Nepal
[Gopi Krishna Dhungana is a Nepali journalist and writer, based in Kathmandu. An MPhil scholar at the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at Tribhuvan University, Dhungana has written extensively, both for adults and children. He is presently associated with the Annapurna Post daily.]