The World of
Assamese Poetry
Rafiqul Hussain

Poems

(1)

In towns and cities
the tombs are empty

even mouldy skeletons wail again for bread
the situation is not conducive

only the wind heeds
the message of helmeted arms

the trees alone receive
the vaunted chants of democracy

even a bird’s chirp
can shock the shells into bursting

(2)

In towns and cities
the tombs are empty
harrowing of the dead
for banned arms
stripping pregnant women naked
for secret haunts
let’s then dress the country
for vultures and dogs alone
No human voice would ring here.

(3)

As the tombs are empty
in towns and cities
as even mouldy skeletons
wail afresh for bread
as the situation is not conducive

Therefore, for re-peace and re-welfare
for the time being

another silence is the call of the day:
for the time being.

             [ Translated by Pradip Acharya ]

Rafiqul Hussain has published one collection of his poems: Xarabiddha Aakaax. He is also a playwright and play director.

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