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The Stone Speaks in the Forest
The golden deer grew restless
And suddenly came running
Into this amlaki grove
Looking for a mate.

One day the king arrived, lights played,
He stood with his foot
Pressing the forehead of the stone
And looking to find which way
His prey had fled.
The weight of his feet tormenting the hill
The stone was silent because
The pain was not his alone.

A man with a broken heart came today
Accompanied by his lady love
Sprayed dreams and tears on the stone
And went away rowing upstream.
They will build their home in the deep forest.
Water runs, the laidom leaves quiver
Hachukrai drags his bamboo raft
There is a market downstream, on a sandy islet.
Wondering, who will respond now,
The stone speaks in the forest
Bow and arrow in hand.
 
 
 
 

Translator's Note: laidom: Wild and swinging leaf. Hachukrai: Name of a villager.