The second coming

I’ll return to civilization once again,

When sadness would fail to fathom wretchedness

Happiness won’t recognize bliss

There would be no sky over you

No dew drops under your feet

The cattle would not return after twilight

And kolmilata on your stove would lose fragrance.

I’ll knock at your door one more time

When home-coming dreams from the war zone

Wouldn’t spread their wings

When bouquets of the martyrs

Would wail only for biranganas

Your sons would not go to war

For upholding those dreams.

I’ll lay down my weapons one more time

When soldiers

Would not beg for poems

Rajanigandha would cease to bloom

In the dictator’s garden

When neighbours

Would shy away from your tribulations.

I’ll stand on the podium to call for revolution

When monsters start dancing

With the smell of grenades

When your unvanquished sons

Would not return from the protest rally.

I’ll drink from your clay pot

Once again

When your lovers would run

To grab a bite from the McDonalds

Suffer in the bed of unreal prince from heaven

Would extend a white flag

After drinks and filial moans

Would say: don’t you still love me?

I’ll sleep with the enemy once more

When Nilanjana

Would leave you for that man; that man

And when you’d accept it

Just like that, nonchalantly.

I’ll start writing again

When you’d stop writing love letters

I’ll come home again

When you stay awake

For me.

Notes:
Kolmilata – popular vegetables mainly growing in winter.

Birangana – a woman who was violated by the occupation forces.

Nilanjana – the name of the lover.

Rajanigandha – one of the most favourite flowers, especially popular among lovers.

Reviews

[Rakhsharimaya]

Good to see familiar words.