Bereavement / Abu Karim

I have not touched the ground for the last three months;

the stones under my feet have lamented in rage.

Man has not touched woman, water and soil.

The earth’s nausea is in wholesome eating,

enjoyment and bereavement.

This town is buried under a depressing bereavement.

The lines of graves resemble a pine vista.

Woman, do you still lament alone in the soil and

harbor with sore in eyes? Do you take still ships,

seas and the fathomless water for shelters of human beings?

I have not touched the ground, have not inhaled air

for the last three months. The stone of my life’s span

is eroding and blood is circulating in a black current.

My feet have turned coal-black under the scorching sun;

the stones under my feet are lamenting in bereavement.

Chittagong      1970

[ Translated by Dulal Al Monsur ]