KNOT Magazine
Fall Issue 2022
Bhuwan Thapaliya
Alterations
The rhododendrons we see before us
may not be the same for you and me.
They may look vibrant
in a host of colors to both of us
but their fragrance may not be the same.
They may soothe you
but they may choke my senses completely.
The freedom we sense.
It may be sublime to both of us
but its essence may not be.
It may liberate you
but it may restrain me furthermore.
The road we see before us.
It may be mysterious to both of us
but its journey may not be.
It may lead you to the domain of the light
but it may land me in the domicile of the darkness.
The deity we worship together.
It may be holy to both of us
but its authenticity may not be.
It may be a gem to you forever
but it may metamorphosis
into a stone one day to me.
The love we have for us.
It may be intrinsic to both of us
but its molecules may not be.
It may be The Everest to you
but it may be a meager hill to me.
And most notably
our orgasm may not be the same.
It may be stimulating to you
but it may be monotonous to me.
But no matter what
there will always be
the bond of understanding
between us.
And it will forever convey
the power of our love
as the sprouting leaves of grass
that have the power to move rocks.
I sat there
The sun has risen
from her navel.
An inked snake
twists around her waist,
and the scorpion crawls
up her emaciated torso.
Moist are her eyes.
And a beautiful
rainbow
dangles
over her breasts.
Nature encompasses all.
The world is madly in love again.
While the sun
took its time
to caress the sky
I sat there beside her
with a drink
looking at her
without winking my eyes.
Intoxication
Sip this glass of wine. Will you?
It will not intoxicate you at all.
Let it slowly enter inside you
and produce bubbles in your heart.
O my good friends just consider this!
Isn’t there a lie being spread around?
Wine, it doesn’t intoxicate us;
it just stirs the emotions of our heart.
Wine, it doesn’t intoxicate us;
we are intoxicated by our own thoughts.
Bhuwan Thapaliya was born in Kathmandu, Nepal and is the author of four poetry collections. His books include Safa Tempo: Poems New and Selected, Our Nepal, Our Pride, Rhythm of the Heart, and Verses from the Himalayas.
His poems and articles have been widely published in journals and periodicals such as Kritya, The Foundling Review, FOLLY, Pandemic Magazine, The Poet, Valient Scribe, Strong Verse, Countercurrents.org, Ponder Savant, Mindful of Poetry, Poetseers, Taj Mahal Review, Poetry Life and Times, VOICES, Longfellow Literary Project, Poets Against the War, among many others.