'If' by Sachhidananda Routray

Translation - Sailen Routray

'Rainbow' by Salavdor Dali

I am a thin cloud, 
 a mere blotting paper. 
I cover up the flying aeroplanes 
of red colored words. 

And if you are some colorful wedding song 
written by golden hands,
I want to suck on its redness 
through every pore of my body 
the moment after it’s written,
with a silent shudder.

Note: Sachhidananda Routray (1916-2004), popularly called Sachi Routray, was arguably the most important Odia poet of the 20th century.  Amongst many other honours, he was awarded with the Jnanpith award in 1986. Copyright of the English translation rests with the translator.