Shaheed Quadri

 

I Salute You Darling

 

 

Have no fear, darling

I値l have it all arranged.

The army will carry rose-bunches

on their shoulders,

march past and salute

only you darling.

 

Have no fear,

I値l have the armoured  cars rumble across

the bogs, barbed wires and barricades,

scars of the war still written on them,

and make them drive up to your door

only your door, darling,

with violins heaped on them.

 

Have no fear,

I値l have it all

all arranged. The B-52 and Mig-21s

will drone overhead and drop

yes darling

drop sweets, chocolates and toffees,

like paratroopers on your yard.

 

Have no fear,

no fear at all.

I値l have a poet command the naval fleet

at the Bay and in an imminent election,

a lover, running against a war-hawk,

shall win all the votes.

Possibilities of conflicts, rest assure,

would come to on end

and

I値l have a singer as the

leader of the opposition,

the trenches along the border

will be guarded by red, blue, golden fishes

and everything else would be strictly prohibited

except

smuggling of love.

 

Have no fear,

I値l have this inflation checked.

Currency will gain strength and

so will good poems increase everyday

and I値l have it so arranged that

instead of mass agitation

mass kissing will unnerve the killer

and make him drop his knife, darling.

 

Have no fear, darling,

I値l have it all stream in to the city,

like the surprise attack of Spring on a

wintry park,

playing on accordions.

 

Have no fear, darling,

I値l have it so arranged that

you can cash in, at the State Bank, at least

a million takas for roses or chrysanthemums

and four cardigans for a lilac.

 

Have no fear, have no fear,

I値l have the navy, the army and the air force

stand around you darling.

and make them present arms

present arms.

 

                                        Translated by M. Harunur Rashid

 

 

  Shahid Quadri (1942--) Poet . Poetry : Uttaradhikar (1969), Tomake Abhibadan Priyatama (1974), Kothao Kono Krandan Nei (1978). Awards : Bangla Academy Award-1973.