Shabdaguchha
Shabdaguchha
Nasir AhmedFather and SonThe full moon was shining on the Buri-Ganges water As the cluster of diamond. In such a night While pushing the loaded cart The boy said, "Father, I have to pie . . ." Pulling off his lungi he then started to pour it Facing the moon. A pair of gentle mares With no guard around Gulped in the moonlight as they were eating grass. A sigh erupted—people gazed at each other, And the old Salimuddi said his boy in fear, "O Kalim, What a darkness dear! Is it not a full moon tonight? Would this hoofing dust Spoil the world as the war of Karballa did?" The boy, speechless, eyed him as a fool As if he could see animals, not only the horse But all others of the type, Live by sucking blood and light— Flocks of two-legged horse and tiger All with human face and sharpen teeth as wolves— Blood stain and moonlight Tinged on their nails and teeth. In that darkness, the whole society was a jungle. The peace-loving deer were Scattered and running in fear of life. Wolves sharpened their teeth while shivered the vast land. Kalim asked in reply, "Dad, what a dark Jungle is this! Where are the houses? Our pushcart?" Like a question mark The father and the son then Sat facing each other motionless In the dark. Lungi: long skirt like dress for men. Nasir Ahmed (1952 - ) is the editor of the literary supplement of the Daily Janakantha. Also, previously worked for the Daily Bangla. He started his career as a journalist in an early age and published more than ten books including his Selected Poems. Translated from the Bengali by Hassanal Abdullah |