Some journalists of Dhaka felt elated seeing

whipping chastisement on the tender flesh of garment girls.

That news was not published well together with 

the crocodile tears for the indigenous garment industry.

There were even many small fries of newspapers

With polished and robust appearance

Feeding on the advertisements of garment industry.

 

 

Now those journalists are groaning at police baton.

Of course, they have been visited by some philanthropic mothers,

military detective officers, political leaders;

and even some international journalist organization from Las Vegas

has sent a bunch of basil leaves for them.

 

 

Are the bones of the garment girls very tender?

Their mothers, while carrying, could not  take calcium tablets.

They have given birth to children just feeding on wild plants

and roots and froth.

That’s why their daughters are born with very tender 

and vulnerable bones.

But to feel for their tender bones

there’s none with a tender heart.

They don’t have any leader, any footman, any pipe gun,

any rifle, nor do they have any police man.

 

 

Are the flesh of the garment girls very soft ?

The reply of this question is known

to the protein eater polluted city with greedy male people

at every nook and corner.

 

 

But it is gradually becoming more explicit:

their  flesh is stiffening.

Under scorching sun, torrents of rain, for strikes and hartals

and in touch of concrete

their tender flesh is appearing strained

coping with constant blows.

 

 

They are walking apparently, aimless, 

along the city streets,

But they are walking millions of kilometers.

 

 

Their ankles are becoming muscle bound;

Excess fat is lessening itself from their hips.

They are walking strait  along the highways.

They are advancing in a defying speed.

They are sure reaching their goal of victory

as the competitors of Marathon race are.

 

 

Dhaka: July 1, 1992

 

 

[ Translated  by Dulal Al Mansur ]