Adieu, Jajabor Poem by Bireswar Halder

(In memory of Dr Bhupen Hazarika, musician, lyricist, singer, poet and film-maker from Assam)



Adieu, Jajabor,
Songs that warm hearts are stilled
Words speaking of a just world lie silent
The voice is silent for ever
As you left us in sorrow
Songs of humanity are stilled

The pigeons are in a standstill
They refuse to sing
The Luit is dried up
Its waves gone to ruminate misty nights
When he spread all his light
No more canvas of the Ganges,
The Brahmaputra or the Mississippi
Only a heart of songs can
Join other hearts

Without you,
Silence darkens everywhere
Silence says it to all-
Do not go, Friends
You are to walk lonely
The Luit today flows indifferent.

Oh bard, your songs wake up the nation
You are like a Pole Star in a dark sky
Showing the path to strangers
You are immortal -
You will dwell in us
As the song of humanity
That defeats the death.