Greetings, Human!!
I am Dehing Patkai!!
I wish you're in fine fettle.
I too wish the same for myself,
alas, I couldn't!!
I fortuitously overhear something
that might sabotage
my substance,
my identity,
my flesh,
my elements.
Am I not being kind and worthy enough?
Am I not being able to fulfil your necessities?
Am I not giving solace and allowing nature's peace flow into you?
Yet, you plunder my soul,
because of your complacency and avarice.
Why so insatiable?
I am not able to sleep,
I am not able to respire,
I feel restless,
I feel agitated,
I shed tears,
I wail because of many cuts and incisions,
I might be felled,
I might be torn down.
Destruction might leave me soulless.
I am for you,
You are for me.
Your walks into me vivifies,
your touch enlivens.
We together bridge symbiotic relationship.
Don't let your greed ruin
our sanity,
our harmony,
our biodiversity.
Please stop these atrocities
I plea, Save me!!
Save yourself!!
Save Dehing Patkai!!

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.