Ever seen the Sea? | Devkanta Barooah

Ever seen the sea? Never? I too haven’t

Nonetheless I’ve heard of it,

A blue watery expanse where uncurbed waves engulf

The distant horizon.

This heart of mine is blue as the sea, with pain?

Haven’t you seen?

Where waves and waves of desire leap and ebb

Kissing the bounds of your memories.

Haven’t you heard? Haven’t you heard in my ocean

The restless music of the storm?

Haven’t you perceived? Haven’t you even felt in the garden

The soft hints of spring?

You do see the rainbow, don’t you? The bewitching pride

Of light on monsoon clouds;

On the firmament of my heart, aglow with love

Have you seen the festivity?

Have you ever woken up to listen at midnight

The heart-breaking Keteki?

Ever thought the hearts of people wail

In the throat of a bird!

I know about your little wisdom. O’ heartless darling!

You simply know

You’re yourself alone, I just me. But alas, you aren’t aware

Why, why we weave garlands of victory

From withered jasmines? Golden palaces

Of confluence and union

Why do we carve with the earth’s distressed mud

Pouring the crimson blood of our hearts?

Why do we wash the feet of idols? You won’t understand dear!

With what pain we immerse

The goddess on Vijayadashmi’s vain evening

Installed auspiciously three days before!

Evening is descending? Hey there, leave the lamp unlit;

Slay the darkness of my world

With the innate light

Of your twin eyes.

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Dev Kant Barooah (22 February 1914 – 28 January 1996) was an Indian politician from Assam, who served as the President of the Indian National Congress during the Emergency (1975–77).. Barua was a noted poet as well. His collection of Assamese poems, Sagar Dekhisa, is still very popular. He was the elder brother of famous Assamese poet Nabakanta Barua.