Gone Awry*

Look dearie!!!
Wanna watch?

Look’ere Son! &
Catch it now!

Playin’ action …&
Watch’n' see!!

Lots’a cunnin’,
Sleigh’ of hand,
Juggl’rs tricks…
Magic’s own –&
Falsities!
’n Down, down, down,
Drops the birdie, - THUUD!!

Hop’n a jump
Sets th’ rhythm.
Aim’s done
Arrows taut
Shot high straight
Upwards too!
Stin’ y’ur heart
Whooosh
Like that, - CAUGHT!!

Crawling, sliding, creeping, slowly
Nets a snare
Gostho Cuz’n –
Steppin’ out,
Basket borne…
Arrows get
Th’ creature down, - NOW!!

Oh Dear mee!
All awryy!!!
Dup’d ’n gone…
Heyy Cuz’n ’ou,
Senile sudd’n?
Scrunchin’ past y’ur
Ribby cages
Did th’ arrow
Zoom unawares - ZAP!!?

*This poem is a free translation of a famous Bengali poem ‘Phoske Gelo’ by the celebrated children’s writer Sukumar Ray.