Our Poem

How long will you forbear

tell?

Crooked vessel

fire of straws and slim twigs

water from the pond

bubbling tick tock

but then

there's no rice to cook.

This poem was originally published in the book Dhuli Gara by Jadabendra Saha, 2022, by the publishing company Pashchima, in the Odia language.

About the poet

Jadabendra Saha has a B. Ed degree from Sambalpur University. His work appears in various Odia journals. He has a book of poetry, Dhulighara (published by Paschima). He lives in Kesinga, Kalahandi, Odisha in India.

About the translator

Pitambar Naik is an advertising copywriter for a living. When he’s not creating ideas for brands, he writes poetry. His work appears or is forthcoming in The McNeese Review, The Notre Dame Review, Packingtown Review, Ghost City Review, Rise Up Review, Glass: A Journal of Poetry, The Indian Quarterly and elsewhere. He’s the author of the poetry collection, The Anatomy of Solitude (published by Hawakal). He grew up in Odisha and lives in Bangalore, India.