Numerous Birds in Life / Abu Karim

Forests   are the habitations of birds.

Where are such dense habitations in Dhaka?

Here in the debris of concrete trees have become

extinct. There is no green branch for birds

to sit and take rest, yet some birds are found;

they sit on the few about-to-be extinct trees.

I watch those birds; I enjoy their company.

Then birds fly away to some unknown destination.

I have never asked any bird about their destination,

never have I caught behind the loose end of sari

of any bird. Many birds have pacified my prodigal life

with the touch of their soft wings.

Taking seeds of fruits in their beaks, birds fly away

far, and new pants grow on the ground,

in the same way birds have carried away the

seeds of life though I am still unaware

whether any plant has grown anywhere.

29 April 2009

‘জীবনে অনেক পাখি’ কবিতার অনুবাদ

[Translated by Dulal Al Monsur]