Tumbehang Limbu
In my hand
There is some raw clay
in his hand, too,
there is some raw clay
From this loaf of clay
I want to carve out
beautiful designs and shapes
He, too, wants to mend it
into his own concept
Both of us are skilled artisans
Fierce contest is going on today
And I have to win a new world
from the painful struggle of this contest.
I want to carve out
beautiful shapes from the raw clay
but he cuts out an ugly world
I want to erect the pyramid of love
but he breaks the ocean of hatred
I want to bring the bosom of brotherhood
but he showers discomfort and fraudulence
While I play the paint of life and lively world
he does dances the dance of catastrophe
and expiration
Now, it’s your turn:
What do you wish to be made from the raw clay?
[Tumbehang Limbu (b. 1970) is a Bhutanese poet and editor. His poems are collected in Bhagna Parkhalko Sayapatri (1998). He has also worked as reporter with Bhutan-based periodicals Naulo Aawaz and Vidyarthi Pratirodh. He is a recipient of honor from Nepali Language Council of Bhutan. He can be contacted at tumbehang.limbu@yahoo.com.]