The Dancing Deer

The Dancing Deer

To the natives of Manipur
known as Sangai
Marked as an endangered
Sub species of Eldi’s deer.
Habitat of the only floating
National Park in the world.
“Keibul Lamjao National Park”

My anxious search for you
Led me to this park one October dawn,
the sun was still behind the hills
at the Eastern horizon,
Autumn leaves fluttered, while the birds
flew in search of food.
You were ever illusive
as your nickname.

Oh dear deer Sangai
once declared extinct, but you defied,
now protected by the local people
and the government,
You are the proud habitat of this wetland,
you can now
dance in glory on that wet marshy land
I shall watch someday your rhythm of dance
to confirm your existence
The Dancing Deer of Manipur.