Santhal Village (Haibun poem)
Santhal Village (Haibun poem)
Bright red mud road snaked
between tall green Sal forests
ended in village
Eyes took in the scene before spread . Walked to a spot where found, women threshing wheat on stone floor, their bangles making musical notes. Further away stood fields of sugar cane, swaying in the breeze, whispering to themselves.
Crushed sugar cane juice
best thirst quencher in summer
craved for a tumbler
Tempted to uproot some, to sink teeth into cane pulp. With sickle cut at the tall cane. Sweet so sweet, every drop drained, swallowed, passed down the gullet to the stomach, cooling all the senses. Satiated slept till the sun set.
Hooves of big cattle
raising dust storm
like moving curtain
Followed behind like a lost sheep. Smell of freshly made toddy, reached nostrils. Brewed by the men scantily dressed, evening wind playing on their lithe dark muscular bodies. How free and untouched by modernity! Blended so easily with natural surroundings! Misplaced felt in their midst. Seeds of thought germinated instantly.
This is where search ends
Have found Utopian place
by chance the road lead