Bongaon Poem by Jahir Hasan

In those days
I had a beautiful red coloured rattle
I didn't keep beating!
Like all other thingsit's music spend up
If it is striken.

I used to keep it on the uplifted stage
Of a lichi tree wishing I would play it
One a fine morning. Feel a longing for it
Climbing up there everyone used to play my rattle.
They actually played their own rattles.
With untiring efforts I let them know
None can play a single note with his rattle giving hundred times effort
They didn't pay heed!
One day blinded with rage
My father threw it in a pond at Bongaon
While we were on the way of India.
I reveal, revealing to no one,
I would intend to keep it
In to a barkingless calm layer of water
Which is cool!
My rattle has lived away so far
To render in the nicest manner by itself
Goneaway so far
Still it has lived at Bongaon.


Translated by Hosen Motahar