Samar Sen
Translated by Khademul Islam
In the neighboring home
A girl sings a song of forgetfulness,
The tired tune
Floats in the air like a fallen leaf,
And fires flare up once in a while
In the forest of the dark sky.
Before the storm the rains, afterwards the flood. When
The waters will sweep away homes,
There will float dumb animals and chattering people.
During the rains homes will wash away, in the waters,
There will float mute animals and garrulous people,
And in the city’s streets
Will rise the plaintive cry of the famine’s volunteers,
In your mind will arise the joy of coming together
As you turn towards your married lover.
You pale girl, what joy do you get from love,
What delight is there in bearing children?