KI KHANATANG

- Collinica Camillie Syiemlieh

Ko Ri Khasi, ko Ri jong nga, ko Ri Kyntang ba ai u Blei;
Ki puriskam, ki khanatang, dei khuiñ jingstad na la Rympei.
Thymmei ka jaidbynriew ngi dei, Khyndai ha jrong, Hynñiew sha tbian;
Lyngba Jingkieng-Ksiar Sohpetbneng, ngi kiew, ngi hiar, ngi leit, ngi wan.

Ki khun ki Blei ki dei shisha, ka Li-dohkha, ka Pah-syntiew;
Na mynhyndai kulong – kumah, pynïar ï’u tnum tyndai u briew.
U Lum Shyllong, u Sohpetbneng, Kyllang, Symper, Mawthadraishan;
Ki ïeng kynjreng sarong, ki dei Ryngkew, Basa, ki Blei – ki Dken.

Nohkalikai, Sngi-thiang, Daiñthlen, ki kshaid phyrnai ba noh rymphum;
Nalor ki riat, ki mawramsong, Ryngkoh ki noh, sha thwei ba jngum.
Ko Wah Umngi, Umïam, Umngot, phi ïaid tawiar ha la ka Ri;
Khatduh phi phai, ki khmat ki jngoh, phi kylla sha Rupa Jylli.

Ki ryngwiang khwai ha ‘Wei-Khyrwi, dei khanatang u Woh-Ryndi;
Ka sharati Manik Raitong, Sakhi ki mih ki skhen khongpong.
Ki khanatang ka Ri Khasi, byllai ki bun ba ngin ñiew-tang;
Ha pneh jong ki ngi san ngi long shaphang jong ki ngi sngewsarong.

[This poem won the 1st Prize in the 2nd Meghalaya Poetry Competition 2010 in the Category A (Khasi). Collinica Camillie Syiemlieh is a student of St. Mary’s Higher Secondary School, Laitumkhrah, Shillong]
~~~~~~~~

U LUM SHYLLONG

- Haïababiang Lyngdoh

Ko Lum Shyllong, ko Lum Shyllong
Me long u Lum pawnam,
Ym don lum shuh u ban kham jrong
Ha Ri Khasi donnam.

Me ïeng kynjreng hapdeng ka Ri
Kum nongïada ba khlaiñ
Ban ai jingshngaiñ ï’u paid Khasi
Hapdeng ka saw ka sian

Ïa me la tip kum ‘Lum Kyntang”
Naduh por mynshuwa,
Kumta hangne ki ju ïalang
Ban ïoh pynlong jingkñia.

Me long u lum ba itynnad
Ba beh ka lyer iwbih,
Wahduid ki tuid na krung jong me,
Ba bang bashngiam ban dih.

Ha me ki shong ki Blei ki dken,
B’la tip kum ‘Lei Shyllong’,
Ï’u paid Khasi ban ai jingkmen,
Bad ban sumar kyndong.

Ko lum Shyllong, ko lum Shyllong,
To nang ïai ïeng kynjreng,
To nang pynkhraw ïa la ka kam,
Ba nam kan par kylleng.

[This poem won the 2nd Prize in the 2nd Meghalaya Poetry Competition 2010 in the Category A (Khasi). Haïababiang Lyngdoh is a student of Salem Secondary School, Nongkrem]

~~~~~~~

NA SHLEM SEI LA TYNRAI SHONGSBAI

- Artilin Mylliemngap

Phi long bakhraw,
Ko Sngi, Ko Khlur, Ko Bnai
Phi sah kumjuh kumba buh u Nongthaw
Manga ngan pdiang na phi ban ai jingshai.

Shat to shat jingshai ai kin phyrnai,
Phyrnai ha la tynrai.
La dei ka por U Hynñiew trep ïohi-jngai,
Ban kyrsiew ban tip te kaei ka tynrai.

Nga ri nga sumar ïa baroh jingthaw,
Ki pdiang arti, ki tip te l’U Nongthaw
Phi ruh ko khun tip Briew tip Blei,
Ngan ai ba keiñ ki sap phin sei.
Sei to sei tynrai kum mawkordor
Phriang to phriang la ka jong ñiewkor,
Dei ma ngi ki trai ba dang bat la tynrai
Sawdong pyrthei kin tip ngin tbeh jingshai.

[This poem won the 3rd Prize in the 2nd Meghalaya Poetry Competition 2010 in the Category A (Khasi). Artilin Mylliemngap is a student of Queenie Secondary School, Laban, Shillong]

~~~~~~~

MEGHALAYAN WOMEN

- Sneha Das

She runs wild in her yellow apparel
Into the flora and fauna,
Her smile; as radiant as sunshine,
Blistering into the moonlit night
She bathes in the continuous showers
Of the changing seasons;
in her childhood she learns
the title steps of Nongkrem Dance
And the sewing of crafts by bamboo and cane,
she plays freely during the Behdiengkhlam festival
with her childhood friends
and sings sweet Christmas carols
Mesmerizing her inner self,
Born into matrilineal society
Where she’s treated more of a deity,
She resides among the hill of pine,
Into the abode of clouds she dwells
Born to Meghalaya; the pride of North-East

[This poem won the 1st Prize in the 2nd Meghalaya Poetry Competition 2010 in the Category A (English). Sneha Das is a student of St. Thomas Higher Secondary School, Rynjah, Shillong]

~~~~~~~

A GREAT MIGRATION AND ITS WITNESS

- Rupashree Choudhury

I’m Mawjiej, the lifting stone.
The village suburbs – thou my habitat,
Wanderer like my mind.
Cooking stone (Mawbyrsiew), smaller than me
Progenitors’ obeisance and oblation makes me shy!
Nobody could call me ‘by my name’
For, I would move on my own wish.

Burning jungles, for ‘Jhum’
Made me homeless, every March
Then tree top became my dwelling place
Till the fire got subsided and
fully extinguished.
Thus degradation feared me!

At the advent of new era,
Abjected; none paid attention-
Was compelled to be no more here.
Bidding goodbye, I kept on rolling!
Rolling! Rolling!
Till I reached a new place
In the midst of storm, hailstones and heavy rain
Can’t blame you, U Naria alias Narea Pongdam.

[This poem won the 2nd Prize in the 2nd Meghalaya Poetry Competition 2010 in the Category A (English). Rupashree Choudhury is a student of All Saints’ Diocesan Higher Secondary School, Shillong]

~~~~~~~
MEGHALAYA – AN ISLAND IN THE OCEAN OF INDIA

- Anubhav Das

In a little corner of the vastness of India,
Lay a tiny little unknown territory;
Alien to the rest, none knew
Of the boundless life that existed;
Of the immeasurable wealth.
With its rolling hills and lush greenery,
Few would grudge its very apt title;
The caption of being “The Scotland of the East”-
The indigenous tribes were as different from the rest,
As the Scottish were from the rest of Britain.

The diverse culture persisting in its heart,
Rising like a tsunami throughout the year;
The artistic dance are uniqueness itself,
The food, the brightly colours clothes, a delicacy for the eyes;
And their tendency towards tradition a homage to their past.

The panoramic view stretches far and wide,
An amiable fusion of people and terrain;
Stay not at the base, instead arise
Soar to heights that do justice to this land;
Ascend with the Gods to the abode of clouds.

[This poem won the 2nd Prize in the 2nd Meghalaya Poetry Competition 2010 in the Category A (English). Anubhav Das is a student of All Saints’ Diocesan Higher Secondary School, Shillong]

~~~~~~~

ACHIK MA.CHONG

- Mayachi K. Marak

Tibet a.song A.chik ma.chong
Neng.be songrebajok unoni;
Sandibajol pagitcham ma.gitcham, gital a.song,
Ramagrioba re.bajok an.sengriri.

Gipin ma.chongrang baksa togrik dinggrihbajok A.chik jatba,
Jako mil.am seppi raesa.
Dakgrikpajok, seng.ki galdape A.chik me.chikrangba,
Ripok rikgitchak ganpilesa.

Batsotbajok re.togijagipa Himalaya a.briko;
Assam rajako dingbajok A.chik matgrikrang;
Toree a.boke sko sote bobilrangko,
Warachakjok jatni rasongna A.chik manderang.

Ka.nangijagiparang ong.oba,
Chanchipaa jattangni rasongna.
Bobil dingrakgiparang ong.oba,
Kenpaa jatni mikkimna.

Sokbajok Garo Hillsona uamang,
A.chik A.song dakaha ukon.
Britishrangkoba warachakjok uamang,
An.tangni changrasrek unon.

[This poem won the 1st Prize in the 2nd Meghalaya Poetry Competition 2010 in the Category A (Garo). Mayachi K. Marak is a student of Aeroville Secondary School, Tura]

~~~~~~~

JATNI DAKBEWALKO RIPINGANI

- Azalea Chijanggi K. Marak

Salgro-salaram Indiani nitobegipa Meghalaya a.doko,
Songdonga A.Chik, Khasi, Jaintia ka.singipa a.brini bakrango.
A.gilsakni jatrangoni donga dingtangani
Jatni pilak gamrangko me.chik man.rikabni.
Aganronga golporangko jinma wal.timosa,
Ripinganga uarangko chasongna ku.ritingchisa.
Gana-china jatgittaman pakkreo dodokesa,
Chrok-mesaa jatantian ge.man gammanesa.
A.king-gore rakkibaa Nokma Syiemtangchi,
Dolloi, Lyngdoh sason ka.a raka niamrangchi.
Songo nook dal.a a.sel ong.na nanggenoba
Uamangan bichal ka.e on.a sastikkoba.
Jatgittaman ring.na dokna ong.a chaggiparang
Taritoka wa.aniko an.ching pagitchamrang.
Chroktoka pilak jatan dama bangso sike,
Sympong, Singthap, tangled, nakra apsan doke doke.
Kotip kaa do.me pota A.Chik Khasirangba
Uandake gana apsan Jowaini Jaintiaba.
Nikaioba apsan dake pilak bewalrango
Nikna man.gen dingtangako mitam kamrango.
Jatgittaman gitokoba gantoka chrapchrap,
Kynjri ksiar, kpieng paila, rikgitok rikgitchak gana gitap gitap.
Indioba A.chikranga gana tangkakosa
Khasiranga namnikbata ganna sonakosa.
Dakgrikoba A.chikranga jakkala sepi mil.amko,
Khasirangde jakkalbata danil tonualko.
Ba.rakoba A.chikrangde daka kilonikosa
Re.king, lengti gana da.ode Dakmandakosa.
Khasi Jaintiarangde daka silk mugakosa,
Jaiñboh, jaiñspong, jaiñsem gana gitchakrangkosa.
Man.genma banona ia jatrangko?
Bilgrigipa me.chikrangna gamko on.gipako.
Rakkiangna jatantian namgipa dakbewalko
Mesokangna a.gilsakna pangnajolna uko.

[This poem won the 2nd Prize in the 2nd Meghalaya Poetry Competition 2010 in the Category A (Garo). Azalea Chijanggi K. Marak is a student of Aeroville Secondary School, Tura]

~~~~~~~

NITOGIPA CHITMANG

- Anylitha N. Marak

Nikateng nangko, chu tinge kambe pintal dake,
Tangringring namen mikkim cha bee.
Simsangchini saliramchi donga nang’ b’mang,
Cho.oke olbaha, nangko Goerani ambitang.
Do.gisikchangjok-
Simsangona sokna gitiko.
On.watgale katangjok
A.mang aro rong tindaksako
Unonisa ong.baaha nang’ b’ mang.
Aganbaenga nangko –
Donga me.mang rama dilo.
Nappakna nanga, nang’ ‘briko
Balpakramchi re.ango;
Pindapa nangko nikronggijagipa gamchi
Mamanti nitogipa pul aro sam bolrangchi.
Knatoa do.o-matni mikogipa ku.rang
On.a nangni b’mangna mikkim-rasong u’rang.
Saporiri jokenggipa chiring chibisikrang
Ka.sinako on.a u’rang.
An.sengbea nang.ni pital
On.a mikronna –
Mikrapani;
Tangbangchina pangnajol
A.chik rangni mingsinggipa
Chitmang A.bri.

[This poem won the 3rd Prize in the 2nd Meghalaya Poetry Competition 2010 in the Category A (Garo). Anylitha N. Marak is a student of Aeroville Secondary School, Tura]

~~~~~~~

KA JER KA THOH

- Bashngaiñlang Rynjah

“Ainguh nyngkong ïa phi ki blei”
Lam ‘tien kñi heh ha ïing
Ladew, U prah, U shang u sei
Lyngkor ka ïing ban kieng

“To khmih mynta maphi ki Blei”
Kumno jynit b’la khreh ban teh
Ban eh ka rngiew ban dap ban shlei
Ryntieh ïada, prah khaw ban peh.

U kñi U khan ban lait ka daw
Pylleng u mait ban shat ban khmih
Jutang b’u sei ban lait na traw
Hangno ban shem ka mon ba ih.

Ïad um h’u skaw kyntang paka
Ryngkat pujer ban ïeng ka bok
Ñiakha ki ïeng ban khraw bynta
Kyrteng ï’u khun ban ïeng ka hok.
La neh ka um h’u klong u ksaw.
Pujer la thoh harum khohwah.
Pylleng la thoh ka dak la paw
Kyrteng ka nam mynta la sah.

[This poem won the 1st Prize in the 2nd Meghalaya Poetry Competition 2010 in the Category B (Khasi). Bashngaiñlang Rynjah is a student of St. Edmund’s College, Shillong]

~~~~~~~

KA RITI HA SYRNGIEW KI SYNTIEW

- Jwillin Wahlang

Ka Ri, ka pyrthei hi baroh kawei,
Ka paw lyngba riti aïu ngi dei;
Kum ki syntiew ithiang basnoh umjer,
Da ki jingitynnad sawdong ki ker;
Pynban ki syntiew ki kyiuh bad ki tor,
La jinglong nylla ym don ba ñiewkor.

Riti ka Ri ba kit bun ki jingmut,
Baroh kine ki la sdang kylla lut;
Bad shano ki dienjat ki long shuwa,
Hato kin sah ne em baroh shirta;
Namar suki ki jingkylla ki wan,
Ban peit ha ka phang ngi kloi ban kynran.

Ki rong khyllah ki la sdang khie rasong,
Jinglong ba nylla ki la kie bie rong;
Namar ka juk bad ka pyrthei rongphong,
Ka ri pyrthuhbud, ka ri jingsarong;
Kum ki syntiew hi ki ba kylla rong,
Namar ka jingñiewpoh ïa la ka jong.

Te ka riti ha syrngiew ki syntiew,
Ka paw ha ka jingim bad jinglong briew,
Ban pynim ïa ka ngi hap ban kyrsiew.

[This poem won the 2nd Prize in the 2nd Meghalaya Poetry Competition 2010 in the Category B (Khasi). Jwillin Wahlang is a student of Lady Keane College, Shillong]

~~~~~~~

KI MAWBYNNA

- Bobby More Kharbani

Ka dur ba i phieng ngi ïohi,
Snap ka hok ki sakhi;
Kine sawdong ka Ri ki ïeng,
B’u longshuwa u la seng.

‘Suidnia longmaw, ar ki pyrsa,
Ïawbei ba pun ba kha ;
Mawkait, mawlum, mawkjat, mawklim,
Ki tduh pyrkhat barim.

Ha ki ka leit ka niam ka kheiñ,
Ban lait n’u khla u bseiñ;
Nongwei u sah ha jingkylli,
Jingmut trai shnong kam bthi.

Ka Ramhali, u Mojong Syiem,
Ki ïai pynrah mynsiem;
Ki khwai shynreh kynting mawsan,
Ka juk thymmai kim shlan.

Ba ka Tusbir kyrpang kan sah,
Longdien u hap tih shrah;
Ka hok, riti kin sah ka shap,
Sha dwar Blei khlem kit pap.

[This poem won the 3rd Prize in the 2nd Meghalaya Poetry Competition 2010 in the Category B (Khasi). Bobby More Kharbani is a student of St. Anthony’s College, Shillong]

~~~~~~~

THE ‘EVE’ OF THE HILLS
- Parijat Biswas

The sky had been impatient for few days
Coloring the mountain top with different dark hues
A storm has been raging inside her powerfully beheld heart
She sells vegetables a basket in ‘Ïewduh’ running hither thither

Her world has remained the same throughout the years
Last night I heard her weeping for her forbidden fears
She has been the matrilineal symbol in the family
Carrying the notion with which she is not in simile

The coiling ways have led to the late ripened summer
Adhered in her tattered ‘jaiñ kyrshah’ suppressing her heart’s murmur
Her lips reddened by the ‘kwai’, the eyes still lit with mellow hope
Walks in the languid air possessing the distressed power rope

In this ancient trend, for others she has become the strength to fight
But the conscience gets blurred now-is it a game of shadow and light?

[This poem won the 1st Prize in the 2nd Meghalaya Poetry Competition 2010 in the Category B (English). Parijat Biswas is a student of St. Edmund’s College, Shillong]
~~~~~~~

THE LAST LAMENT OF JOY (LIENG’S SONG)

- Matti Bakor War

I saw him plunge and burn away…

I faced the pit of burning hell,
My fiery grave.
I stood where he once stood
Too late to be saved.

Behind me, my husband, the king
Who his people loves but not me.
Behind me, my newborn wailing son
Who I would no longer again see.

The flute played his last long notes
As he faced the pyre.
I suckled my son for the last time
Before facing the fire.

I remember the strong spell he had woven,
Its ropes bind my heart still.
I remember his legacy, the music he once played
Unlike him, it cannot be killed.
The flute, his magic wand
Was embedded in the earth.
As I plunged down to a ghastly death (so they say)
All I could hear was a song of our hearts.

[This poem won the 2nd Prize in the 2nd Meghalaya Poetry Competition 2010 in the Category B (English). Matti Bakor War is a student of St. Edmund’s College, Shillong Higher Secondary Section]

~~~~~~~

REVENGE OF A DOG

- Marquinia Tham

I once was a merchant
Dealing in fine sauces,
‘Twas pungent and nobody paused;
Their words were harsh, they ridiculed,
But they all were fools.
Trampled it under their feet,
I’m hurt to the heart-
I plead, I coax this is the best,
But they will not listen.
Everybody does not know
That it stick to their feet,
Giving me the chance them I will strike;
I go to Man to plead his judgment,
But what I receive is a blank comment!
So I served Man to get my wants,
And vowed to hunt them one by one.
Day by day they’re falling down,
Now, they really know my anger unbound.
Because I know they cannot go far,
As long as the pungent smell marked the scar!

[This poem won the 3rd Prize in the 2nd Meghalaya Poetry Competition 2010 in the Category B (English). Marquinia Tham is a student of St. Mary’s College, Shillong]
~~~~~~~

BALPAKRAM

- Johney Borne M.Marak

Donga a.gilsako mingsa,
Chonbeo ba bi.ap damsa;
Minga uko ‘Balpakram’ inesa,
Channa uko me.mang dongram bi.apsa.

Rasong chaa A.chik dedrang,
Chingni ine kangna uko;
Gimaatna sikja da.nang,
Atchu ambin dongram bi.apko!

Nitoa nang bimang,
Simdimdim buring bolgrim;
Similchipa samtangtango,
Rinokgipa bibalrang.

Donga nang.o ma.marikkit,
Gamchatgipa A.chik gamrang.
Nikna man.a nang.osan;
Ma,manti A.chikni bebera.anirangko.

Mande watanggoba a.gilsakko,
Donga una bi.ap damsa,
Ka.don gkuna grongna uko,
Changsao ‘BALPAKRAMO’!

[This poem won the 1st Prize in the 2nd Meghalaya Poetry Competition 2010 in the Category B (Garo). Johney Borne M. Marak is a student of St. Edmund’s College]

~~~~~~~

KA NGUH MEIKHA

- Mrs. H. Cleopatra Jana

Ka ïing thymmai ba la pynskhem,
Shijur ki sdang ban tei ka shlem.
I khun nyngkong, mynta la kha,
La kmen sngewbha ki arliang kha;
Nangta ki sdang ka khreh ka khrum,
U khaw, ka doh ba kin ïalum,
Sha ïing meikha ba kin leit nguh.

Haba la biang nadong shadong,
Sha meikha leit rah khun nyngkong
Bad jingainguh ruh ki da song;
Shi byrni khaw bad ‘niangtylli,
Ba khun, dei jingkyrkhu jong ki.
Baroh kñia kha ki wan lum lang,
Ban bam sngewbha kumba la mang.

Meikha ï’i khun ka ïeng ban pdiang,
Ka ai jaiñ-it, pynsleh umphniang;
Pyrsa kurim da jingsngewnguh,
Ka shet pynbiang, ki bam pahuh.
Shi hat ki sah ban rung ïing kha.
Da jingkyrkhu meikha leit phai,
Bad roi bad briew bad spah kyrhai.

[This poem won the 1st Prize in the 2nd Meghalaya Poetry Competition 2010 in the Category C (Khasi). Mrs. H. Cleopatra Jana stays at Mawlai Syllaikariah, Shillong]

~~~~~~~

NONGKSEH DON NAM

- Mr. Rapborlang Shabong

A, Shnong don nam naduh barim bajah,
Kyrteng ka jong pha junom kan ïai sah;
Ïa pha ba la jer, ‘Raid Sawkur Nongkseh;
Nang bun kher – ki mer, jingshai to nang tbeh.

Ki syiem man ka snem, ban pyngngad jabieng,
Ki wan mad ka lyer iewbih ba suhsieng;
Pha long ruh ka kut ïada kaba skhem,
Nongshun ki khaw-eit, la stieh ki pyndem.

Jingstad kum Basan Nongkseh ñiar ban shem,
Ka Hok ban pynksan, ka pap ban pyndem;
Ban - ïeng ka daw - bah, ban lait ka kylla,
Matti - nam barim, mano ban phira?

Kat nang ïaid ki snem, to ïeng khun samla,
Ka nam ban pynskhem, ban shat kham thaba!

[This poem won the 2nd Prize in the 2nd Meghalaya Poetry Competition 2010 in the Category C (Khasi). Mr. Rapbor Shabong stays at Nongrim Hills, Shillong]

~~~~~~~

SHIKYNTIEN KWAI

- Ms. Carolyne J.Thabah

Sawdong ka lyngwiar dpei ba rhem;
Ba la tehsong jingieit ba skhem,
Lyngkien ka snam ar ki mynsiem
Lynshop jingduk ki pha jingim.
Khiewja ha ding ka um ka thnam
Sawdong madan lyngkien ka snam
Namar jong nga ki pha jingim,
La suk ka ïap ban ïa ka im.
Dang riew u syiar shwa kynjat shai
Sawdong ka dpei byrngut ka shai
Wow ka apot! La poi ka khim
Nongtuh u bthat ïa la jingim.
Ban bha ban miat ka shong ka sah
Ha ïing kyrduh ne ïing riewspah
Riewspah ki ong, u kwai ngi ïoh
Shi lok, tympew ka shun ngi thoh,
Ban kham shongshit ban bang ka nia
Ha khap ki bniat tyngkhap duma
Kum u nongtuh ba rieh kyndong
Kumta parom ka kut ki ong.

[This poem won the 3rd Prize in the 2nd Meghalaya Poetry Competition 2010 in the Category C (Khasi). Ms. Carolyne J. Thabah stays at Sngithiang Lower Mawprem, Shillong]
~~~~~~~

A JOURNEY INTO A KHASI MAN’S DOMAIN

- Lashngaiñhun Nongsiej

I
‘U khat ar bor’ he bore a mighty name;
From his birth
A bow and three arrow,
U khaw jer, khaw thoh;
Gifted with a blessed name,
From the bosom of a paternal mother
He stands an Achilles of his race.
The Assembly speak,
A pillar anchored with pride and humility;
He leads and shield under his umbra.
His strength sublime.
‘ka spah pyrthei’ he needs no earthly force.
Its for the weak, whose shoulder she seeks.

II
But now, the ripe tune in bleak,
For he stands only on shadow.
A wandering soul, submerged in self – Pity….
With no responsibility.
In a limbo,
Nostalgic of his mighty past and the uncertain tomorrow
Drench in forgerfulness
He is ‘An Invisible man’.

[This poem won the 1st Prize in the 2nd Meghalaya Poetry Competition 2010 in the Category C (English). Ms. Lashngaiñhun Nongsiej stays at Lummawbah, Upper Shillong]

~~~~~~~

THE LAMENTATION OF SOHLYNGNGEM

- Cassandra Syiemlieh

You blessed the hours we spent together with your quiet voice,
You found the time to sympathize with me and to rejoice,
Your special sense of humour made the hours pass happily,
And woke a merry moment from a mild catastrophe.
Two birds could strike together, Love’s phoenix of fire,
A mystery of life, the apex of desires.
A “mannah” sent from heaven, descending soft, unleavened,
On a Hagar, arms outstretched, in a dreary desert bed.

A needle in a haystack, for souls to rave and rack,
An alabaster rare, in the modern glitz and glare.

I keep pining for my love true,
Yet I have to bid adieu!

If True love can transcend all institutions,
You taste and tread the path, but only once.

[This poem won the 2nd Prize in the 2nd Meghalaya Poetry Competition 2010 in the Category C (English). Ms. Cassandra Syiemlieh stays at Riatmedi Road, Mawlai Nonglum, Shillong]
~~~~~~~

MEI MEI! THE STONE IS EATING ME

- C.R. Binnan

Mother you bid me stand in hollowed higher ground
Standing by my little brother his small hand in mine
I do not want to, but I obeyed your command sound
A banana for my brother to feed if he but whine

“Mei Mei! The stone is swallowing my brother’s feet
Come soon”, “I’ll be there son let me finish this”
I heard you say, my heart sank, I do know indeed
You would not come, ‘coz you labour so hard for us

Repeatedly I called while brother is swallowed whole
Its devouring me now “when will you come” I cried
Mei I love you I cannot say goodbye so much I hold
I stretched a banana in my hand for you to know I tried

My sons were are you? The mother pleads and wails
Villagers stupendous hammering does not a dent make
The boys were never out; a legend is born enthralls
The memories of a stone so vivid horrid to perpetuate

A rock that stood besides objected the mishap was punched
A hole that water gushed forth as tears that wallowed
The stone never give up its catch big or small alike
In awe and sadness this lore is passed and borrowed

Ah Mawnguid briew the world is held in disbelief.

[This poem won the 3rd Prize in the 2nd Meghalaya Poetry Competition 2010 in the Category C (English). Mr. C. R. Binan stays at Lower Lachumiere, Shillong]

~~~~~~~

NOKMANI A.BA NIDILA

- Colnat B. Marak

Sal’manchi jajongchane, Abetpako adol kae,
Attemako pakkol sepe, ta.makku jaksima dol.e.
Kari mingknaako, jumang name seako,
Bolgrim anadalpil.ako, wa.grim nelo nengako,
Chikari jaksi otc, rong.ma, bolma arie,
“A.rakako watchange, bal’cholramko watgele,
Paltangtang chame on.ako, jumang sina o.patbo,
Jawana ku.’atgiminko, da. A mikgron bu.chimbo.
Abetpa beng.ode, ritamako dontongbo,
Kon.awena nikode, wama tina watgalbo.
Bal’cholramlo o.nabe, mikka wachi onjawa,
Mite songko pe.nabe, game sue cha.jawa.
Waknachil dakode, matchu-mate bon.genne?
Katta manijaode, chiga jitna nanggennee?
Balimit ama watoba, damsan popo dadabo,
A.galmake ari songo, a.sulmung ma.talgrike songbo.
Chenggo Bonepa Narasantani, balimit kalo gita,
Misipa Arajengpani, bolma wang.o gita,
Bika chagriktoka, milam degriktokane?
Do.sik janggi jajagija, sa.apgital bingmane,
Ku.’mitap jakkipgija, ku.’parakatengjokte?”

[This poem won the 1st Prize in the 2nd Meghalaya Poetry Competition 2010 in the Category C (Garo). Colnat B. Marak is a student of the Dept. of Garo, NEHU, Tura Campus]
~~~~~~

‘ATCHUN MAN-RIKGIMIN DAKBEWAL’

- Salman A.Sangma

A.king gore rotongipa, chiring ka.singipa,
Jaintia, Khasi, A.chik manden’ songdong a.chagipa.
Minga nangko ‘Meghalaya’ aramni ma.chakram,
Nitoana mingsingbea Cherrapunji, Balpakram.

Songdongaha jat gittam ku.monge-nangrime,
Simsaktoka a.doktangna gipina sanale.
Warachakjok, an.chi on.jok, ka.sae a.songtangna.
U Tirot Singh, U Kiang Nongbah aro Togan Nengminja.

A.chikrangde ripingkua ‘Nokma’ nokkromko,
Khasi-Jaintia manderangba donna me.chikko noko.
Ripingna ka.oksie atchun’ nokapangna,
Kamko ka.a bil jak neng.e, ambini nokdangna.

A.chikrangde mitelpilna ‘Wangala’ Misi Saljongko,
Khasirangba ‘Nongkrem’ chroka man.na pattianiko.
Kamal ‘Tuara’ simma nijok, ‘Pom Blang’ kritjok.
Bedeinklemko Jaintiarangba manina sangwaljajok.

Chasong gital ong.baoba dakbewal dingtangja,
Simsakenga A.chik, Khasi, Jaintia uko ripingkuna.
Atchu ambin’ dakbewalko an.ching jaktuatjana;
Hai, uaranga angon nang.on ‘Dilnengna Do.mikna’.

[This poem won the 2nd Prize in the 2nd Meghalaya Poetry Competition 2010 in the Category C (Garo). Salman A. Sangma is a student of the Dept. of Garo, NEHU, Tura Campus]
~~~~~~

CHENGONI MATGRIK

- Senchi Ch. Marak

Da’nang matgrikrangde,
Mi’lam seppi ra’bite,
Rama re’o jakbite,
Songgabata ra’bite.

Da’nang ua chasongo,
Matcha mapil jaelbea,
Kena sin’an ga’chate,
Rim’am rim’chip dakbea.

Matgrik inming inmingan,
Sko sotna misilja.
Mande sio mangnapna,
Da’nang a’barebea!
Chasong gital chadambe,
Ong’ja chasong skangni;
Matgrik ine mingsingna,
Man’bo bida budi.

Bida budi dongani,
Manden’ gisik seng’ani,
Ong’a uan matgrikni,
Silchi dare, mil’am seppi.

[This poem won the 3rd Prize in the 2nd Meghalaya Poetry Competition 2010 in the Category C (Garo). Senchi Ch. Marak is a student of the Dept. of Garo, NEHU, Tura Campus]
~~~~~~