Jakkamputi Jhansi Rani

I sit on the terrace and gaze

At all the things around.

To left, lushly green crop of maize

Dancing to the hum of birds and wind.

Women facing their backs to the sky in field

Expressing their sorrow and joy as a hymn

Men with their bullock carts wheeled

Drawing beautiful patterns by ploughing

I sit on the terrace and gaze

At all the things around me.

To right, children on streets

Competing with a European in a bicycle race.

Women eye on every passer-by

Rapping the prices of her wares

Men with their cars and bikes

Honking rapidly as they line up in traffic.

I sit on the terrace and gaze

At all the things around me.

In front, Nalini Bhua distributes sweets

Door to door, celebrating the birth of a calf.

Zamindar stops her vehicle

To herd of sheep crossing the road.

Raju mama stops on his way from work

Only to help villagers to unload their wagon

I sit on the terrace and gaze

At the sun reaching its horizon.

Like the two-faced home,

Residing together in harmony.