See,
I’m unarmed, but
I
have the kind of arms that is
Never
exhausted, which with every use
Only
grows sharper and sharper-- my life
I
don’t have only one life,
But
millions and millions of loves.
See,
I do not have a flag
In
my hand, but the flag I possess
Is
not raised on the mast of some braggart
My
flag is my mother’s face.
I
don’t have only one mother,
But
millions and millions of mothers.
See,
I am in a chains,
But
what chains are these, my arms,
My
millions and millions of arms,
In
this chain we are all linked each to each.
I
have been made in my mother’s womb,
Drop
by drop with her blood ; my heart is a quiver
With
the lightning sparks of her life ;
My
body has arisen out of her intolerable grief.
Mother,
I am giving back today
For
you my blood, my life,
So
that at the end of all grief
You
can again become the mother
Of
millions and millions of children.
Translated by Kabir Chowdhury
Syed
Shamsul Huq (1935-). Poet, novelist, story writer, dramatist and
journalist. Poetry : Ekada Ek Rajye (1961), Biratihin Utsab (1969), Baishakhe Rachita Pangtimala (1970), Paraner Gahin Bhitar (1980).
Novel: Ek Mohilar Chhabi (1959), Anupam Din (1962), Nil Dangshan (1981),
Khelaram Khele Ja (1991), Nishiddha
Loban (1990), Baro Diner Shishu (1989), Bazar Sundari, Duratta, Drama:
Payer Awaj Pawa Jay (1976), Gananayak (,,), Nuraldiner Sara Jiban (1982). Awards
: Bangla Academy-1966, Adamji Literary Award-1969, Alaol Award-1983, Ekushe
Padak-1984.