Shabdaguchha
The International Poetry Journal in Bengali
Translated Poetry
9th Issue
July-Sept 2000
From Barishal to Briarwood:
Bengali Poetry in English
Shaheed Quaderi (1942-)
Improper Meeting
Wild pigs will find their favorite mud.
Kingfishers will get the desired fish.
Nights--deep dark--will be white in heavy rain.
Peacocks will dance in a dense forest.
Lovers will eventually make love with partners,
Yet they will never be happy,
never,
never,
never ...
Wanderers will return home alone.
In an empty pot,
Rice will shine like stars,
And the old, forgotten song will return to your tongue.
Lovers will eventually make love with partners,
Yet they will never be happy,
never,
never,
never ...
They will stop marching in army barracks.
Hungry tigers will snatch a blue deer,
The village breeze will bring
The gentle tune of women's song--
And you will find a room to stay together.
Lovers will eventually make love with partners,
Yet they will never be happy,
never,
never,
never ...
Translated by Hassanal Abdullah
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Shabdaguchha, A Journal of Bengali Poetry, Published in New York, Edited by Hassanal Abdullah.