Ascending through a tropic river pass
its forest growing teak and ironwood
where terraced paddy fields ripen like grass
and jungle smells of musky cedar wood.

A check point near Patkai forces a pause,
a landslide farther on extends our stay.
The downstream traffic runs before our cars
are motioned to continue on the way.

The landslip takes us off the asphalt road
and up a steep and muddy jungle track
one lorry slipping, tips then sheds its load
another jam; a stall that holds us back.

At last Kohima town comes into view
a wedding beckons from the tall bamboo.