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

Here lies Sarojini; I don't know if she is lying here!
Enough she had slept; -
then one day she left for a far - away cloud.
Has Sarojini travelled that far, where - darkness over - a new horizon
wakes up under the focus of light?

So Sarojini has moved that far? Climbing without a ladder?
- like a bird, but
she had no wings at all.

May be she is today part of earth's geometric undulations.
The ghost of geometry claims: "I don't know anything."
The dryness of Saffron light clings to the evening sky;
Like a vanquished cat;
Wide awake with the idiotic
smile of a futile trick.

[Translated by Faizul Latif Chowdhury]