Jibanananda Das (17 February 1899 – 22 October 1954 / Barisal / Bangladesh)

I discern a few birds somewhere outside on grass,
dew drops dry-up in the sun rays
a few people—around their corn-field,
lonely like human beings
In anticipation of heavenly geometry
Even the earths undulations have
Mingled with the whole sky of
The present and the past.

Is there a general strike along
The horizon? —chimney... spread
Along the blue of the sky
easily, like birds.

Here ensteeped in the
stillmates of the river
Clouds have arisen to the sky
like spiral stairs—
They realize as they mingle with the nature,
... dazzling aluminium feel
I counted two three four five
Six aeroplanes
As if watching the blue of the skies,
In the sunlight, I took a look at the
Century’s ghosts.

Translated by Faizul Latif Chowdhury