More often than not poetry loses its essence in the realms of translation. This collection of poems titled Poems Come Home by Sukrita Paul, translated by renowned poet and lyricist Gulzar attempts to bridge this gap of languages.

In her foreword to the book, Sukrita says just that and explains how poetry changes during translation and yet her poems seem to have been 'found' in another language and seem to have made their way back home.



Following is a note by Gulzar in Hindi explaining how poetry is translated for mere access and how that can result in bridging language gaps.

He explains how there is no reason why Sukrita's poetry must not be translated into English (she belongs to Punjab, was born and raised in Africa and now lives in Delhi), at the same time there is no reason why she must not write in Hindustani.

The book includes both, the original poems by Sukrita in Hindustani and their translations in English on adjacent pages.

What emerges is two pieces that are similar in essence that may not be literary parallels. The poetry is sensitive, simple and free flowing with some put together in a series like We Are Homeless, Tsunami Snapshots and Possessed.

Just a Little One, Pg 70
Clapping his hands
In excitement
My three-year-old exclaimed
'Shame! Shame!'
He had seen a
Monkey
Wearing clothes