In This Asharh, You Come

Tamanna Rahman (Monsoon’s Love Ballad)

On this monsoon morning, I carry a handful of kadam blossoms. I weave them into my hair as drizzling rain sings its rhythm. In my eyes, I paint the path of kajal’s shadow. With lines of alta beneath my feet, I draw crimson illusions.

I rise as the daughter of the earth, bare yet radiant. The birdsong over ripened fields stirs my trembling heart. Come to me, let me float with the southern breeze while I gather shapla. In the melody of Bhawal songs, lend grace to my soul.

Come in the honeyed moment of love. In the silence of unspoken words, we shape remembrance. Bathe me in the nectar of affection. In this harsh, shadowed world, build a sanctuary of love with me.

The fragrance of husked paddy inspires me to prepare patisapta pies. On the tin roof, raindrops compose a lullaby to soothe you to sleep. Holding your hand, I walk through the waters. In this Asharh, come as love to be welcomed.

Monsoon’s Love Ballad: A Poem of Surrender in Nature

Introduction

“On this monsoon morning, with a handful of kadam blossoms—” From the first line, the reader enters a synesthetic experience. The touch of flowers, the sound of rain, and the scent of alta merge into one living image. In Bengali poetry, rain and love often appear as metaphors for each other. In this Monsoon’s Love Ballad, the poet shifts the focus and places woman at the center of nature itself.

This Monsoon’s Love Ballad becomes more than words; it flows as a fountain of emotions where nature’s beauty intertwines with the deepest memories of the Bengali heart.

The Central Theme

The poet crafts a feminine figure through monsoon’s essential elements—drizzling rain, kadam blossoms, and alta-stained footprints. She declares herself the “daughter of the earth.” Her adornments and selfhood merge with soil, water, and wind.

Symbolism and Metaphors

• Kadam Blossoms: They symbolize monsoon. By weaving them into her hair, the poet unites herself with nature.
• Lines of Alta: They represent Bengali tradition. Yet, the phrase “crimson mistakes” hints at illusions or the intoxication of love.
• Shapla with the Southern Breeze: This symbolizes the beloved’s arrival, carrying the sweetness of nature.
• Fragrance of Husked Paddy: It embodies simplicity and freshness, forming the foundation of relationships.

Artistic Structure

• “Weave them into my hair”: Here the roughness of stems contrasts with the softness of petals.
• “Through the rhythm of drizzling rain”: The poet compares rainfall to onomatopoeic sound—its patter, rumble, and jingling tones stir the auditory cortex.
• “The path of kajal’s shadow”: This imagery creates a cinematic frame in black and white, stirring emotion and drama.

The Temporal Paradox of Love

“In the silence of unspoken words, we shape remembrance” combines three layers of time:

• Past: memory
• Present: silence
• Future: creation

The poet traps memory in the past, holds silence in the present, and walks toward creation in the future. She blends all three layers into one flow of self-discovery.

Cultural Anthropology

1. Echoes of Folklore

• “Patisapta pies”: These sweets symbolize communal harmony in rural Bengal. Women once prepared them during harvest festivals with freshly husked rice.
• “Lines of Alta”: Alta marks femininity and beauty. Like vermilion, it symbolizes marital strength. Brides in village weddings often received alta as part of their adornment.

2. The Metaphor of Seasons

Monsoon renews nature with vitality. Life in youth awakens with the same thrill of romance. Here, rain stands not only as water but as spiritual purification—like the descent of Goddess Ganga in mythology.

Dialogue with the Reader

Questions:

1. Does the female character control nature, or does nature control her?
2. By “crimson mistakes of alta,” does the poet hint at breaking social taboos?

Conclusion: The Beginning of an Endless Journey

“Come as love to be welcomed” leads us back to an eternal question: is love like a monsoon river flowing one way, or cyclical like the seasons? The poet of Asharh leaves the answer for the reader’s heart to tremble over.

In this invitation, the poet envisions love as cyclical and eternal. Like monsoon’s endless play of destruction and renewal, love also returns in new forms again and again.

Through this Monsoon’s Love Ballad, the writer blends the fragrance of kadam blossoms with the rhythm of rainfall to create an unforgettable tale of love.

📌Disclaimer

This analysis provides information and opinions only for educational and discussion purposes. It reflects the author’s personal research and interpretation. It should not replace professional medical, psychological, or legal advice. Copying or reproducing any part of this content without permission is strictly prohibited and may result in legal action.

They Want My Good, Not Me — Tamanna Rahman

(Rebel Poem)

They want my good, yet they do not want me.
My ways resemble a mirror of shattered glass.
Because of this, they claim it pierces their hearts and spills silent blood.
As a result, they call me unbearably strong.

I have no mercy and no softness; therefore, they see me as a heart of stone.
In the so-called civilized world, I stand without a voice.
Instead of working in the way they expect, I spark disputes and questions.
For this reason, they never become blindly in love with me.

They want my good, but they reject my existence.
In fact, they say no good ever comes from my hands.
They call me an ill-omened owl, and they believe my face itself is a sin to behold.
Consequently, wherever I go, curses follow me like shadows.

Rebel Poem: “Broken Glass Mirror — Society’s Twisted Truths”

Introduction

Every word of this poem carries the sound of rebellion.
It rises when society’s conditional love clashes with the independence of the self.
Because personality grows from social interest, the absence of it often leaves a person without identity.
However, this poem questions whether such social structures are in fact a hidden civil war.

Here, the poet openly calls herself stone-hearted and ill-omened.
She describes how her face alone is enough for society to declare her sinful.
Meanwhile, she becomes a voiceless outsider—someone who, instead of joining in conventional work, creates challenges to the system.
As a result, the love shown to her is not pure but shadowed by contradictions.

This poem also exposes the uncertainty and masked behaviors in the name of love.
Most people hide behind masks, and therefore it becomes difficult to know who truly wishes us well.

Poem Structure

The poem unfolds in three layers:

1. Crisis of Self-Identity:
   “They want my good, not me—my manners a mirror of broken glass.”
2. Cruel Judgment of Society:
   “Stone-hearted—voiceless in a civilized society.”
3. Rebellion and Curse:
   “Ill-omened owl—wherever I go, I carry only curses.”

Throughout these layers, the poet moves from one metaphor to another—
From a mirror, to stone, and finally to the image of an owl.

Deep Analysis

The line “It pierces their hearts” suggests that the poet’s truth acts as a thorn, causing pain to those who encounter it.
“Avoiding work, creating conflict” reflects an act of self-critique.
In fact, it hints at an emotional struggle against the superstitions and false values of society.

Cultural Narrative

• Ill-Omened Owl:
  In rural Bengali traditions, owls often symbolize bad luck.
  Yet in nature, owls are sharp hunters with exceptional hearing.
  Therefore, in this poem, the owl becomes a symbol of superstition and false judgment.

Cultural & Historical Context

• Bengali Rebel Poetry:
  Similar to Kazi Nazrul Islam’s “Bidrohi” (The Rebel), this poem also shows strength in being “broken.”
• Global Context:
  Comparable to Japan’s hikikomori and Norway’s friluftsliv, the poem reflects the desire to live without imposed boundaries.

Personal Experience Behind the Poem

I wrote this during a fierce stormy night in Asharh, 2019.
Outside, hail and rain drowned every other sound.
After spending hours alone, I joined a tea table with acquaintances.
During our conversation, one well-wisher suddenly asked,
“Why do you always want to be different from others?”

This question sparked the creation of these verses.
In the end, the poem unmasks the conditional nature of society’s so-called love.

Reader Reflection Questions

• Which social mold has pressured you the most?
• Have you ever been called an “ill-omened owl”?

A Reader’s Comment

After reading this poem, I remembered when I first got a tattoo and went to the office.
My boss frowned and asked, “Is this professional?”
I replied, “Judge my work, not my arm.”

Closing

By the end, the poem settles into despair mixed with self-definition.
The poet labels herself an “ill-omened owl” who carries curses wherever she goes.
However, the poem’s message is clear: perfection is never whole.
People’s happiness depends on financial freedom and the courage to be themselves.
Often, those labeled unlucky by society become the pioneers of the future.
Here, the “curse” becomes a kind of liberation—because a broken mirror reflects the truth,
While a perfect one shows only convenient illusions.

📌 Disclaimer:
All interpretations here reflect the author’s literary vision.
Reproduction without permission is prohibited.

Diary of Memories

Mizanur Rahman

(From “Diary of Memories”)

Diary of Memories :So many memories carefully tied with invisible threads of affection,

A shadow scented with emotions—
Returns gently in moments, whispering through time.
Old photo albums preserve smiles, tears, and emotions—
Echoes lost deep in the chambers of time.
The pages of the diary carry unsaid words,
Or broken fragments of eternal dreams—
Now hidden in the darkness of forgotten years.
Memories lie dormant in a shelf’s quiet corner—
And yet, when you open your eyes, you see nothing clearly,
They disappear in the crowd, buried under life’s endless chaos.
In the twilight of a lonely day, when time pauses,
Those memories storm back—
Scattering emotions like drifting wind.
Waves rise silently in the depth of the heart,
As lost moments return,
Much like Jibanananda Das’ tranquil awareness—
Soothing in the quiet darkness.
Everything fades in the surprise of time,
Yet memories—
Infallible and unseen—
Remain embedded in the soul forever.

Diary of Memories: Reflections of Lost Love Hidden in the Depths of the Mind

Introduction:

In the deepest corners of the human mind, memories remain quietly tucked away. Sometimes, they take the form of a beloved scent, a familiar tune, or a face that gently knocks on the doors of our past.
This poem, Diary of Memories, was written on a rainy evening while flipping through the pages of an old photo album. A long-lost photograph caught my eye—people I no longer meet, yet once shared endless laughter with. Their smiles are now trapped within the frame.

Through this poem, I tried to express how memories from the past unexpectedly revisit our present, shaking the foundation of our emotions.

Human memory has a strange power. Neuroscience tells us that the brain retains painful (sad) memories more vividly and for longer than happy ones. But why do certain memories stay etched so deeply in our consciousness? This poem seeks to find answers through poetic lines.

In-depth Analysis of the Poem

1. Word Choice and Metaphor:

Notable expressions from Diary of Memories include:

• “Tied with invisible threads of affection”:
  The metaphor compares memory to an invisible force of love. Just as unseen forces of emotion bind us in life, memories silently connect us across time.
• “Waves in the depth of the heart”:
  The poet equates sudden emotional surges with tidal waves of emotion triggered by memory. Even when people from the past are gone, their memories still stir emotional tides within us.

2. Influence of Jibanananda Das:

The influence of Jibanananda’s gentle melancholy is strongly felt:

• Absence of rhyme yet poetic rhythm
• Elements of nature (shadows, wind, waves)
• Conceptual layering of time

Jibanananda Das wrote in Banalata Sen:
“Her hair was the dark night of ancient Vidisha.”
Similarly, this poem draws memories from the darkness of the past and brings them back to light.

Personal Experience Behind the Poem

This poem was born from a personal memory. In 2020, during the lockdown, I came across my father’s old diaries. One entry from 1989 caught my eye—a draft of a letter expressing his anticipation of my birth. It read:

“After today’s soft rain, a rainbow stretches across the sky—perhaps someone new is arriving.”

That single line brought the entire scene from decades ago to life in my mind, like a film clip. Such is the powerful magic of memory. It doesn’t just belong to the past—it gives meaning to the present.

Thoughts for the Reader

Here are some questions and reflections to consider:

• What is your most vivid memory from childhood or youth?
• Are there certain smells or songs that transport you to the past?
• Do you believe we sometimes suppress memories on purpose?

A Reader’s Comment

“The line ‘on the pages of the diary’ reminded me of my school diary, where I had written about my first love. She’s now living in Australia. Running my fingers across that old page gives me goosebumps.”

We invite you to share your own experiences and reflections. Comment or message us on our Facebook page ‘Nobojuger Kabbo’. Selected stories may be featured in future poems!

Conclusion

While writing Diary of Memories, I realized we are nothing but the sum of our memories.
If one loses all memories, one’s identity changes entirely.

The final line—“Waves rise silently in the depth of the heart”—is a truth we all carry.
We continue creating memories, knowingly or unknowingly, every day.
One day, they will return—perhaps through a familiar song, a scent, or the smile of a stranger.

The poem Diary of Memories brings the reader face-to-face with those long-lost moments, breathing life into them.
More than just a poem, it’s a map of our journey through time and emotion.

📌 Disclaimer:

All opinions and interpretations presented in this analysis are solely for educational and literary discussion purposes. Artistic metaphors and symbolism are not scientific facts. Please do not copy or republish any part of this content without permission.