These poems are based on the rural life of West Bengal. It’s a collaborative work, featuring images by award-winning photographer Plabon Das:
I
Crossovers recoup the breach
and water evokes
figures of fellowship.
![](https://media.assettype.com/outlookindia/import/imgnew.outlookindia.com/uploadimage/library/16_9/16_9_5/IMAGE_1642324111.jpg?w=801&auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max&format=webp&dpr=1.0)
![info_icon](https://img-2.outlookindia.com/outlookindia/2024-02/f1727220-a815-47b8-941e-2f69bceb7c19/info_icon.png)
II
Clay or cut —
frolics do not cease
over trifles. Riverside
hosts the young as
clouds burst into drizzles.
![](https://media.assettype.com/outlookindia/import/imgnew.outlookindia.com/uploadimage/library/16_9/16_9_5/IMAGE_1642324231.jpg?w=801&auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max&format=webp&dpr=1.0)
![info_icon](https://img-2.outlookindia.com/outlookindia/2024-02/f1727220-a815-47b8-941e-2f69bceb7c19/info_icon.png)
III
Kash reveals autumn.
Fisher plies shallop to
pluck the floating plenty.
![](https://media.assettype.com/outlookindia/import/imgnew.outlookindia.com/uploadimage/library/16_9/16_9_5/IMAGE_1642324318.jpg?w=801&auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max&format=webp&dpr=1.0)
![info_icon](https://img-2.outlookindia.com/outlookindia/2024-02/f1727220-a815-47b8-941e-2f69bceb7c19/info_icon.png)
IV
Fancies fathom no ceiling.
Can iris assess the zenith?
Kites are born of chimeras.
![](https://media.assettype.com/outlookindia/import/imgnew.outlookindia.com/uploadimage/library/16_9/16_9_5/IMAGE_1642324395.jpg?w=801&auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max&format=webp&dpr=1.0)
![info_icon](https://img-2.outlookindia.com/outlookindia/2024-02/f1727220-a815-47b8-941e-2f69bceb7c19/info_icon.png)
V
Travelers garner around the Baul.
What does he chant?
Melody unfurls…
Govinda manifests across
the bank of Ajay.
![](https://media.assettype.com/outlookindia/import/imgnew.outlookindia.com/uploadimage/library/16_9/16_9_5/IMAGE_1642324602.jpg?w=801&auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max&format=webp&dpr=1.0)
![info_icon](https://img-2.outlookindia.com/outlookindia/2024-02/f1727220-a815-47b8-941e-2f69bceb7c19/info_icon.png)
VI
Argil raises the hovel.
Bamboo and retted jute stem
mould to model.
Owl assures daughter
acts like the goddess.
![](https://media.assettype.com/outlookindia/import/imgnew.outlookindia.com/uploadimage/library/16_9/16_9_5/IMAGE_1642324921.jpg?w=801&auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max&format=webp&dpr=1.0)
![info_icon](https://img-2.outlookindia.com/outlookindia/2024-02/f1727220-a815-47b8-941e-2f69bceb7c19/info_icon.png)
VII
Her gaze is fixed.
Mien limns the reality.
![](https://media.assettype.com/outlookindia/import/imgnew.outlookindia.com/uploadimage/library/16_9/16_9_5/IMAGE_1642325066.jpg?w=801&auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max&format=webp&dpr=1.0)
![info_icon](https://img-2.outlookindia.com/outlookindia/2024-02/f1727220-a815-47b8-941e-2f69bceb7c19/info_icon.png)
(By Kiriti Sengupta)