Asad Chowdhury

 

  Lamentation

 

“Would that I were (mere) dust”

                                       Sura Naba 40 / 78

    

 

If I were mere earth

reptiles would live happily within me,

I would have given food to people

and their pet animals,

I would have become medicinal herb in their disease,

and if I were the hood of a quiet

fast-moving serpent

the burden of sin would have been

lighter on my earth,

 

                              Translated by M. Harunur Rashid

 

 

 

 

Asad Chowdhury  (1943--)

Poet, Critic, Essayist and Writer of Children Literature. Poetry : Tabak Dewa Pan (1975), Bitto Nai Besat Nai (1976), Joler Modhhye Lekha Jokha (1982), Je Pare Paruk (1983), Amar Kovita (1985), Sangrami Nayak Bangabandhu (1975), Bangladesher Muktijuddha (1983), Children literature : Rajar Natu Jama (1989), Chhayti Rupkatha (,,), Asiar Galpo (1980),  Awards : Abul Hasan Memorial Award –1975, Agranibank Children literature Award –1982,  Bangla Academy Award – 1987.