Thursday, November 14, 2013

Chhinlung

That’s where I came from: a cave of stone with
Jagged edges, its belly dark and dank; joined to
Earth’s boiling bowels.

One day, they say, out of this cave
Our ancestors emerged; out they marched
in groups, tribe by tribe.

First came the Sailo tribe, with bearing proud
Their faces grim, set with intent to reign,
That will no resistance brook.  

The Luseis came in sight, their lordly stride
And genial mien a courtly role portend.
Their dialect rules the roost, unites the state.

The Lais appeared a humble lot at first
Yet eyes belie a fearless warlike race
Who fight to the death and know no flight.

The Hmars have magic in their blood;
To rule or conquer not their aim,
Shaman they were to play a priestly part.

At last surfaced the Ralte tribe
With cheery chatter, merry clatter
They filled the cave with jolly din.

The first-come tribe, who claimed superiority,
Curled their noses at such frivolity,
Decided it must end.

They commanded all the tribes
To shut the cave-mouth and at once!
Before more noisy crowds advance.

And so they took a boulder huge
They closed the cave – a heinous deed!
Shut their brothers in, denied them daylight.

6 comments:

sawmpuia said...

Tha hle mai.. chhinlung chu dahthat tlak a nih hi.

Malsawmi Jacob said...

@Sawmpui, i ti lawmawm e.

Malsawmi Jacob said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

a tha hle mai....

Malsawmi Jacob said...

kymiu, ka lawm e.

Malsawmi Jacob said...

kymiu, ka lawm e.