Ahsan Habib

Bow-String

Look, how taut as a bow –string

                              is the entire world ;

In furnished bedrooms

                           in porches, in yards                                                     

                           in ways or in quays.

In streams of people

Or in running buses

There acts a pull all around.

So tense are the engines ;

On station platforms

                         beneath the brilliant light

Are the strains and pulls scattered round.

Behold, in airports

The wings do hold no air !

How tense they’re rested

And tense is the  supreme judge.

Taut as a bow-string

                         are the rivers and the blue

The crop-fields, betel-nut yards

Through banks of rivers

                         stretching far and near.

There acts a strain

In the whole of the bluish tinge

In human relations and in love,

So tense is the universe

                         as a tight bow-string.

And furtively there rings a twang ;

From all corners who call :

                          Arjuna ! Arjuna ! 1 

                                            Translated by Abid Anwar

1. The legendary bow-man depicted in the Mohabharata.

Ahsan Habib (1917—1985)

Poet, Novelist and Writer of  Children Literature. Poetry : Ratri Shesh (1946), Chhaya Harin (1962), Sara Dupur (1964), Ashay Basati (1974), Dui Hate Dui Adim Pathor (1971), Premer Kovita (1982). Novel : Aronya Nilima (1962). Children Literature : Rani Khaler Sanko , Bisti Pore Tapur Tupur, Awards : Bangla Academy Award-1961, Ekushe Padak-1978, UNESCO Award.