West Wind (Padamati Gaali)

Had I known this earlier, I wouldn't have done like that,
While she vexed me in taking milk food
I wouldn’t’ have shown all thro' the window or from the terrace
Frightened by the thunder like sound
while she was hiding her face in my sari folds
I wouldn't have assured her it's only a metal winged bird,
Had I known it would carry away my little one
emptying the place and kicking on my chestbeyond the seas to the western coast
I would have hidden her in my hearts of hearts

And now by the week-end
quite before day break, I wake up the sun
when I open my sleepy eyes, interestingly it will be Sunday
The mind that likes always picking dreamsthat day erases them forcefully
and sprinkles cold water on the eye lids.
Minute by minute, every minute, it will be excitement
I dump aside for a while all my work
for the west wind that brings here the voice of my little one.
All at once the whole body becomes ears
and all the nerves of the body telephone lines,
Before the mind's thirst is quenched, time vanishes
Again for a week, becoming a miser
saving bit by bit that heavenly drink
sprinkling it on my heart, I seek rest.

- Seela Subhadra Devi
(translated by Kodavanti Leela Mohan Rao)