Published May 15th, 2025
India Poetry Contest #3 – First Place
by Monjika Dutta
I don't know if it's the race
where concrete and chemicals grow faster
than trees, or the saturation of the world
in the tiny palm of our phones.
I don't know if it's my age,
the dry, radiated eyes of my friends,
or the silence of the wild – even when it calls.
In a room where we are together,
yet how we remain somewhere far away,
loyal listeners to strangers,
to instant bliss.
Everything shown and shown again –
anything, everything, ridiculously.
Chewing hours into flickers of thrill,
instant noodles, coffee, and life.
I'm done giving them money
my pockets holds no depth,
I might have forsaken,
this old blessed world.
No, you have to wake up,
soon and early,
to see the first bloom of spring,
the strum of streams on poised rocks
the smell of fresh earth after rain,
the sway of winds,
and a sea of daffodils.
To walk on maiden summer's green carpet,
greet sunflowers and even the mud,
and in time step over fields of golden leaves.
There is so much in the snow, the rain,
the sun, wind, and the storm –
this is the life our life was made for.
These things ground us,
so how can we forget, even by mistake?
How can we ever let it go?
About the Poet
Monjika Dutta resides in Guwahati, Assam, India.
Read the poet's biography on Monjika Dutta's Artist Page.
This poem is also featured in Wax Poetry and Art Magazine #7,
published in the Wax Poetry and Art Library.
Previously published in India Poetry Magazine:
Philandering
by Shelly Narang
India Poetry Magazine is part of the Wax Poetry and Art Network.
- Visit the main Wax Poetry and Art Submissions Page to see all opportunities.
- Visit the Wax Poetry and Art Library.
- This website and all contents ©Kirk Ramdath and specified artists.
(Advertisements)