Tryst

When we met
On the afternoon sands
The Dibong was on fire
And I, my Kaneng,
Was on fire too.

When you let fall
Your ribi-gacheng
At my feet,
I was scalded.

I reached out
For coolness in the shadow
Of your breasts
And I was scorched.

You did nothing to help.

[Notes: Dibong: A river in Assam; Kaneng: Beloved, in the Mising language of Assam; Ribi-gacheng: A Mising woman’s clothing.]