Sufia Kamal

There Is No More Time

There is no more time for weaving your

                                                      hair in patterns,

Or be concerned with the glamorous

                                               border of your dress,

To adorn your forehead, for Kajal in your lips,

                                        eyes or reddening your lips,

No more time. no more time—for the battle

                                                        for life is on

  There is no more laughter in blossoming

                                    girls or in young widows,

The fine mouth and lips are firmly pursed

                                                 in a stern resolved.

Restless now, like the sharp edge of a sword 

Are the tender eyes, now piercing and raised,

Not like the frightening doe anymore these eyes.

They are searching, like a hunting hawk,

The bitter heart has become cold, savage, hard

To take revenge on the brute ravagers.

 The women have shed their coy delicate gentility,

To wreak vengeance for the sorrow of the lost

                                                              dear ones

In their frail figures are gathered the courage of lions,

Boundless strength she holds, the valiant woman

                                     no more softness in her voice

Crooning lyrics ; only victory for my land,

                                                  my people, the heroic fighters

Dipping their stints in the martyr’s blood spilled in

                                                                        the streets,

They repay their loans in blood.

                                          Translated by Ahrar Ahmed

Sufia Kamal (1911-1998), Poet. Poetry : Sanjher Maya (1938), Maya Kajal (1951), Mon o Jiban (1957), Abhijatrik (1969), Mrittikar Ghran (1970). Autobiography : Ekale Amader Kal (1988), Diary : Ekattarer Diary (1989). Awards : Bangla  Academy-1962, Lenin Award, (Russia)-1970, Ekushe Padak-1976, Swadhinata Award-1997.