*Image: “The Last Caveman” by Gina Williams, Infrared Photograph, 2010

Abhay K

Featured Poet

1. Siddhartha

I must have been cruel
to turn my face from my young wife
my newborn
longing for my lullabies.

I secretly fled at night
without goodbyes
riding my beloved horse the night through
who died exhausted at dawn.

When I look back
at the forlorn fort of Tilorakot,
and the desolate gardens of Lumbini
I wonder: what have I done?

2. Bhanubhakta

I wrote verses in quest of immortality
like the grass-cutter who built a well
so that his life would not fade
like shadows after sunset

In prison, I danced to the tunes of mosquitoes and ticks
to be freed I composed verses
in praise of the Prime Minister
I died ignominious, my works unpublished

I stand at the central square
looking on as the marchers pass by
holding torches in their hands
chanting slogans for a new land.

3. Prithivi Narayan Shah

After losing the war of Nuwakot
my father mostly prayed at home

while I walked the streets of Gorkha
rubbing shoulders with the brave

one day I conquered Nuwakot
reversing my father’s defeat

my victory turned into a vision
One king – one kingdom

after long wait and many defeats
I finally conquered Kirtipur

Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur
fell as a pack of cards

kings fled from palace to palace
and an age ended forever

from Mechi to Mahakali
my sword wove a new garland

the air is still fresh
with its fragrance.

4. Laxmi Prasad Devkota

My parents would tell me
I was a boon from Laxmi, the goddess of wealth
yet all my life
I served Sarswati, the goddess of poetry
I left for Patna to study literature
but returned with a B.A. in law
Death claimed my parents first
then my young daughter
Deranged I found myself in Ranchi
in a mental asylum enduring electric shock
I never believed in miracles
One day it happened
I recovered
and returned to Kathmandu
to lose myself in literature
Freedom eluded me here
I left the banks of Bagmati for Benares
Cancer like a scorpion stung me hard
and I died like Muna
without meeting her Madan.