#WritingWednesdays with Ajmer Rode, An Artist in Two Languages
“Rode has extended the scope of Punjabi language and given a new turn to Punjabi poetry”
Mustard Flowers - Ajmer Rode
If you see an old man sitting alone
at the bus stop and wonder who he is
I can tell you.
He is my father.
He is not waiting for a bus or a friend
nor is he taking a brief rest before
resuming his walk.
He doesn’t intend to shop in the
nearby stores either
he is just sitting there on the bench.
Occasionally he smiles and talks.
No one listens.
Nobody is interested.
And he doesn’t seem to care
if someone listens or not.
A stream of cars, buses, and people
flows on the road.
A river of images, metaphors, and
similes flows through his head.
When everything stops
at the traffic lights it is midnight
back in his village. Morning starts
when lights turn green.
When someone honks
his neighbor’s dog barks.
When a yellow car passes by
a thousand mustard flowers
bloom in his head.
Ajmer Rode
About Ajmer Rode
Born in 1940 in Rode of Punjab, India, Ajmer Rode now lives in Vancouver and writes poetry, prose, drama, and translation in Punjabi and English.
His first work was non-fiction Vishva Di Nuhar (Punjabi University, 1966) on Einstein's Relativity in dialogue form inspired by Plato's Republic. Rode's first book of experimental poetry, Surti, was influenced by science and philosophical explorations.
Rode’s honours include the Punjab Languages Department’s Best Oversees Punjabi Author award, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the University of British Columbia, and the Anᾱd Foundation’s Anᾱd Kav Sanmᾱn award.
Further Reading
Recognized for her passion, knowledge, and support of her clients’ individual journeys toward their best selves, Frances Mulinix brings over 20 years of experience in coaching, voice, movement, and performance to support her clients in breaking down blocks, opening the voice, and reaching achievements they had previously not thought possible. Transform your relationship to your mind, body, and voice, bringing new confidence and creativity to your life.
