The Hunting Episodes / Abu Karim

The tiger would go out for hunting in the past,

and after eating small animals, he would become just

satisfied; the tired tiger would mate with his tigress.

Of a deer he found tasty the blood and flesh.

The hunting of wild buffaloes was thrilling

though their flesh was very elastic, no feeling

of taste. The buffaloes would try hard to defend

themselves; after a fierce struggle a buffalo’s head

would be the feed of the hungry tiger.

The tiger would not enjoy the flesh

of those animals that  did not make strong

defense; it would taste tasteless.

Now the tiger has become feeble;

going hunting is impossible;

he eats left away animals.

He looks like a diseased patient

whose foods are only barley and sago.

Casting an oblique eye, an young doe

can easily pass him.  His saliva has to

silt on the tongue, but his glance is important.

Hunts loiter here and there around where he lies,

but he thinks of his youth with disappointing sighs.

3 October 2005

‘শিকারকাহিনী’ কবিতার অনুবাদ

[Translated by Dulal Al Monsur]