Nowhere Any Protest / Abu Karim

Why are you seeking warmth touching the tender body of afternoon?

You’ll be disappointed; afternoon is dumb and deaf.

Although reddish sun has tainted all the tree tops,

although grass under the shadow of clouds is hearing the melody

of the advent of the evening,

although birds are free in the eternal sky with immortal chirping melody,

you’ll never find out a ray of sun anywhere.

Such barren our land devoid of fertility and spirit is!

Late afternoon-our people are neither with laughter nor with ease

In letting out their heartfelt thoughts.

Nowhere any protest.

Oh men, I’m leaving my obeisance

in front of your sleeping conscience.

oh field, I’m leaving my desire for the green

to your trees devoid of leaves.

Please, raise your head out of this dense cold;

please, get up breaking this dark indifferent stony wall

of endless indecision.

I’m still awake with this truth—

at last man comes out victorious;

at last love turns out to be the only shelter;

at last a dauntless erect voice roars

at the society based on injustice.

December 4, 1976

‘কোথাও কোন প্রতিবাদ নেই’ কবিতার অনুবাদ

[Translated by Dulal Al Monsur]