Abid Azad

 

Grenade

 

 

Violence is not for violence’s sake, I say from love,

I spring from love.

 

In some eyes, anger lies deep down—

Outside the man appears as quiet as a gentle lake

But anger remains inside him around his heart.

 

The anger was not for anger’s sake,

I fought for love

Blood is not spilled out from below the gullet

A grenade which I hid in my grip.

 

There is a sensitive feeling heart inside a grenade,

War isn’t just for war’s sake,

I kept a lovely grenade in my grip, for I

meant it as a birthday present for you.

 

                                        Translated by Tasaddoque Hussain

 

 

Abid Azad (1952—2005)

Poet. Poetry : Ghaser Ghatana (1976), Amar Mon Kemon Kore (1980), Banotaruder Marma (1982), Shiter Rachanabali (1983). Awards : Bangabandhu Award (1977),