The Quiet World
BY JEFFREY MCDANIEL
In an effort to get people to look
into each other’s eyes more,
and also to appease the mutes,
the government has decided
to allot each person exactly one hundred
and sixty-seven words, per day.
When the phone rings, I put it to my ear
without saying hello. In the restaurant
I point at chicken noodle soup.
I am adjusting well to the new way.
Late at night, I call my long distance lover,
proudly say I only used fifty-nine today.
I saved the rest for you.
When she doesn’t respond,
I know she’s used up all her words,
so I slowly whisper I love you
thirty-two and a third times.
After that, we just sit on the line
and listen to each other breathe.
BGM- Mia & Sebastian theme by Hauser
Many years ago people living in rural Nepal and some living in Nepali communities in India engaged in musical game where two singing groups engage in lyrical (couplet) interaction. We called them Juhari" (जुहारी) and "Dohori" (दोहोरी). Although "Dohori" is the more common term,it is also called "Juhari", particularly in the context of live performances or competitions. There is no specific date marking the origin of these folk songs, nor a single place it can trace back to. It has lived as an oral tradition. I have taken a bold decision to introduce it into my story. From what I have heard, my paternal grandparents used to sing Dohari and I still remember a few lines my late grandmother used to hummed. I hope my audience will embrace my creative choice and enjoy thìs narrative.
Sound editing- Pankaj Shastri
BGM Flute: Sujan Lama; BGM Sad Flute: Selim Reza
Kanchi Hai Kanchi- Part 1
A young woman crosses invisible border to seek freedom and hope in a new sanatorium . Clinging on to her is her toddler son and a past she cannot escape. The tale of Muglan retold, through Dohari and Jhawre songs.
This time I took the liberty to introduce a historical figure into my story.
Sound mixing courtesy - Pankaj Shastri
BGM- Fate Believer
PC- Das Studio, Darjeeling
Be Glad Your Nose is on Your Face
By Jack Prelutsky
As an ESL teacher teaching English to non native speakers, poems are the essence of language. Any language that be, poetry holds beauty of that language. I make this poem mine for a minute and hold these words in my mouth. I make this language mine for a minute and return it back to its owner. Xoxo
Did I tell you that I have fallen for Edna
Or her words
Or her art,
Or just a fragment
A part.
Does it qualify as an inclination
Or a crush.
To say fallen- is defeat.
To love someone
Is indeed.
A loss of self-
To deplete.
So much so that
We human can only empty ourselves to a limit.
To the last brink.
I must confess-
We come back to fill ourselves to brim.
- S. Thapa
Years ago I heard a wonderful recitation of Sonnet no XVII by Tom O’Bedlam and yesterday the night sky compelled me to read this sonnet. You can hear the thunder at the background. It’s time to revive this channel