On Darjeeling

Sudesh Satyal

It has ripples of beauty, as those in our own country
Though they live in India, by heart they are Nepalese
Picture of the pristine nature stings as long as they live
Like a lover Darjeeling stays in my heart, so deep!

As I neared Teesta got olden tales of valor recalled
What a valiant war they fought Bhakti Thapa and his troops
It seems a blot of their blood, still shines on this part
I saw the trail where they walked— rare heroes of the past!

Crispy air blows in twists, letting cliffs and slopes to spin,
It sees as if hills will pull, greenish loin up the lane
The birds in the hills take off, adding newer wings so cute
What if branches have no apple, they are on the cheeks so sweet!

Leaving lofty lands so high, ditties sounded ding-dong-tang!
When I saw the bamboo groves, I could recall lovely swing
They have issues we cherish—festivals and culture’s wealth!
In chaubandi, patuki, here’s is where my sister dwells!

The sun rose from mountain womb, ripping it to make a way
Liners of eyes or of lips, are all needless, when all is gay!
Notes of good-will the nooks sent, as does our sarangi
In the garden I could see, Lekhnath, Sama and Laxmi!

[Sudesh Satyal (b. 1996), developed taste for poetry early as a student of Mahesh Sanyas Ashram in Devghat from Shree 1008 Dr. Ramananda Giri. Well-versed in Eastern classic meters, Mr. Satyal is a gifted poet with acute sense of language, sound and sense. Also a magical recite, he is the recipient of the third prize in National Poetry Festival, 2016. He is the author of Antarikshako Dharti, a collection of metrical poems.]