Abdul Mannan Syed

Premonition of Death

My body lies stretched beneath the greenish moon,

and consciousness, beneath the stars. My scream

riding an illusive phaeton, revolving with blood-

                                                      soaked wheels

on the blue blue void. The river ; my life ;

                                                   the rest ; ashore.

Slowly I approach the white mansion of death ---

the marble floor, the roof built in time.

Dreams are strewn there as if from a cracked skull ;

all to be devoured by the evident cat ; save

                                             accomplishments.

That harmony has vanished in the brazen remorse

                                                                         of dusk,

the dome of nipple-breast crumbles ; consciousness,

                                                                           a mole;

nature, woman, existence; vain and mad tautology

Prostrate on the crest of grass, today shall I count,

                                                       who are the goers ?

Above all the rivers fly gray-white gulls

Of death, touching the life of blue boats.

                                                       Translated by Dibakar Barua

Abdul Mannan Syed (1943--) 

Poet, Short story writer, Novelist, Translator and Critic. Poetry : Janmandha Kavitaguchchha (1967), Jyotsna Roudrer Chikitsa (1961), O Sombedon o Jaltaranga (1974), Nirbachita Kavita (1975), Kovita Company Private Limited (1982), Parabastava Kabita(1982), Park streete Ek Ratri (1983), Machh Series (1983). Translation : Matalmanchitra (1970), Short Story : Satyer Moto Bodmash (1968), Novel : Poramatir Kaj (1982), Critique : Shuddhatamo Kavi (1972), Jibanananda Daser Kavita  (1974),  Nirbachita Prabandha (1976), Begum Rokeya (1983). Awards : Bangla Academy Award –1981. Alaol Literary Award 1981.