Grave, Rain Poem by Jahir Hasan

lightning streak, as if a woman, such tenderness one feels
the cloud is the grave
still that grave crumples, drizzles!

distant district, rain awash, homeless insect,
numb shadows flicker

within crannies of the comb's tooth
silence visits in a little while
rain, rain pours on
beneath the rind and bark, unstoppable
down to the roots of grass, as if no letter arrives

has it been buried
by the rain?
sorrow besieges
my brother's grave!


Translated by PRASANTA CHAKRAVARTY