Animated sequence of a race horse galloping. Photos taken by Eadweard Muybridge (died 1904), first published in 1887 at Philadelphia (Animal Locomotion). (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Line art drawing of palanquin. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Imagine , I am travelling in a foreign land
taking my Mom far away.
You are in a palanquin,Mom
the doors slightly open,
I am riding on a horse,
galloping beside you.
The horse with its hoofs
blowing the dust around.
The evening sun is setting,
we arrive at the imaginary twin pond.
Wherever I look its quiet
there are no people or animals,
it seemed you were afraid
and wondered where are we.
I said don’t be afraid Mom,
over there i can see a stream-let.
The field is covered with spear-grass
a winding road in the middle.
No cattle are seen anywhere,
perhaps gone towards the village,
no one knows where we are heading__
nothing can be seen in the dark.
It seemed you said to me,
‘what kind of light is there by the pond?’
Right at this moment ,ha ray ray ray ray’
some people are coming with their loud voices!
Afraid you moved to the corner
praying to all the gods and deities___
the bearers in the prickly shrub
shivered in fright and let go the palanquin.
I was telling you,
why are you afraid,Mom,I am here.
sticks in hand, curly hair__
with their ear stuck with flower.
I say,’ wait beware,
if you come any closer
look at my sword,
I would cut you in pieces.’
hearing this they jump
and scream ‘ha ray ray ray ray’.
You said , Khoka don’t go!’
I said ,’watch quietly.’
I galloped in their midst,
with the jingling sword and shield,
what a dreadful fight it was
hearing this will make you shiver.
So many of them fled in fear,
countless heads were cut-off.
Fighting with so many,
you might think Khoka is probably dead.
covered with sweat and blood
I come and say,’the fight is over.’
hearing this you come down
you gave me a kiss and took me in your lap.
Said,’ luckily Khoka was with me,
what a calamity it would be otherwise!’
Daily so many things happen__
oh why isn’t it true?
It would be a nice story,
all will be amazed __
Dada would say,’how can it be,
Khoka is not that strong!’
all the neighbours would say,
‘It’s fortunate Khoka was with his mother.’
Please note: Khoka means a little boy in Bengali
Ha ray ray ray ray is the sound made by the people coming towards them.
Sabethville 