Nights at Cecilia Makiwane Hospital, Mdantsane

and the child gasped
a caged wind screamed
noiseless of a last night whimper
trees swaying outside
in restless tribulation
refused
I asked a late night
for an answer
yet a black sky
revolted.

Graphite pencil and ink drawing by Amitabh Mitra

Another day

an evening stained
with a hurtle of
unassuming talk
louder
louder
they diminish somewhere
close by
tomorrow would be
just another belief
of another
day.

Poem and Pastel Drawing by Amitabh Mitra

Noorganj

noorganj stayed in shadows
as a river broke the walls of the fort
climbed up
a strange smell of sweltering summer
and elderly women
on a wrinkled soil
stayed still
'badruddin gujar gayey
kab key
aur ayesha
chup ho gayi hai'
chortled the river
I could only see her eyes behind
the burkha
hens rushed out
spraying colors to
a dead laughter.

Poem and Drawing by Amitabh Mitra
'Badaruddin had passed away long back and Ayesha doesnt talk any more'

Mdantsane to Transkei

in transkei
we drove on roads beyond roads
the sun and the sky set themselves apart
and people there talked about new south africa.
i wanted to get braids done on the
roadside
and dance to hip-hop
with others
being played by a blind musician
his head moving
his eyes behind dark glasses
negating all
nothing has really changed
only the dog among hitchhikers
just wanted to cross the street.

Poem and Watercolor by Amitabh Mitra

Mdantsane Girls Dancing

the summer wink has left
a stray color shine leaps on an everydaycloud
an everydaystreet
grass flowers bloom around shacks
she touches her eyes
and her hips again
in other patterns
mdantsane moves in unision
i jump out
on an ecstasy river
my long hair
my face rushes
a changing sky
in perfect congruency.


Poem and Watercolor on a handmade paper by Amitabh Mitra

Preview Mdantsane Breathing

Mdantsane Breathing by Amitabh Mitra

Mdantsane Shirts

Poets Printery, South Africa has launched an exclusive range of shirts with my art featuring the vibrant culture of beautiful Mdantsane. T shirts, Jackets, Ties and Scarves will have the insignia and colors of Mdantsane Art and its Poetry. T Shirts of all sizes are being sold at Rand 100 including postage.
amitabh@amitabhmitra.com