Mandira’s poem is a personal narrative that moves beyond a walk to encompass the past, present and possible future of the people of Darjeeling, a name synonymous with the finest tea in the world.
Letting go of grief often gives rise to misgivings in the person who has lost a loved one. It may result in them either trying to overcome their sorrow with a dogged determination or clinging on to it desperately as the only way to preserve what has been irretrievably lost. Mandira’s poem is addressed to anyone who is or has been in such a dark place.
Life is inherently mysterious and for some specially called upon to be the bearer of its enigmas, the insightful secrets could be a gift whereas the dire ones could be a curse. Mandira Ghissing’s poem is a whimsical take on the extraordinary, almost heroic, effort required of us to carry this burden.