Aahuti
(Translated by Manisha Koirala)
I am black
But not dark.
Darkness does not have any colors.
I am painted
But not colorless,
Darkness but does not have colors.
Black
And even darker
As clouds in rainy days,
Black,
Yet darker
As threads in your head.
I am not
Dark that escapes from light
A color in clouds; black,
Black I am
But never dark.
You,
White as my twinkling teeth,
You are,
Yet faded as my brightest teeth.
Blonde,
As a shimmering stone
Yet a little pale.
Cannot say,
A light that lost from light,
Not your color definitely
That hides from light.
Colored,
You are a color of fair,
But not necessarily a light.
Aahuti, originally named Bishwabhakta Dulal, is able to translate the grievances of the people of lower social strata through the honored efficacy of words. He is also a successful novelist and analyst. Among contemporary writers, he is counted among matured poets with a powerful poetic vision. He was born on 14 Ashad 1967 in Kathamandu. He stated writing in 1982, and his first work to get published was “Sachchai Garchou ra Timi” (Do You Really Do It?), a poem published in Diyo. His published works include Tapasika Geetharu (Songs of a Pursuer, collection of songs), Naya Ghar (New House, a novel), Skhalan (Ejaculation, a novel), Hindu Samajma Dalit Jatiya Muktiko Prashna (The Question of Dalit Liberation in Hindu Society, sociological criticism). Aahuti is a recipient of Krishna Mani Literary Award. He lives in Kathmandu with his family.