Narmada ki dear Medha

I am writing to you because
I am thinking of you.

pebbles in the river Narmada
the undulating ferry
broken huts
humid land
tick ridden buffalos
lice haired girls
I remember all of them
along with your coarse Saree and
a blouse with loose fitting sleeves
you, adjusting your glasses.
in the boat
in a jeep
on roads
you would read and write
and keep on asking
questions on the lives of others

Now, a reason to write to you is that,
I remember you incessantly.

glittering roads
gliding planes in clouds
lavish skyscrapers
water draining through gutters
drifting aroma of body spray
bouncing breasts
all are lit up
in
clogged crossroads
heavily bright malls.

noodles, pasta, cans of beers,
serial kisses of mobiles on ears
and SMSs on our fingertips.
We keep asking
about our lives.

Now, I am writing to you because
I really remember you a lot
But,
I don’t miss you.

(Translated from the original Marathi by Jayant Gadgil and Raahi Dahake.)