you need lies
(like a trapdoor)
to live
releasing, ever so lightly
to let truth trickle in-
just enough
spasm of breath
for a rusted heart
remember, when i told you
i will be late-
(a held-back spring,
a postponed sunset
or a delayed tide)
it was a both-way
mirror, you see
but neither you
nor me
saw the truth
and damn, truth it was
that took me away
for ever!
Bio of the poet: Born and brought up in Kolkata, India, Raja Chakraborty is a much published bilingual poet, writing in English and Bengali. He has penned four books of English poems so far, ‘The Soup Bowl and Other Poems’, ‘Whispers in the Wind’, ‘Broken Lines and Rainbows’ and ‘About Maya and Other Poems‘. He is also a regular contributor to magazines and anthologies which include Setu, Piker Press, The Writers Club, First Out, Litterateur Rw, Dissident Voice, Duanespoetree, Lothlorien Poetry Journal, Borderless Journal and a host of anthologies. In addition he has also published six books of Bengali rhymes(chhora) and poems.