The Wings Poem by Sajjad Sharif

Now that you have come fluttering, O Wings, will you,
O Self-manifest, claw me away from this swamp?
As I drift deep into the forest at night
I get cowed by unknown beasts - and I spend
Hours and days under water. Sharks devoured
My parents, leaving me an orphan. Hiding
In reeds and weeds,
I have saved my life thus far.

Tearing yourself away from my body, you went on
To clutch others - and I sent the wind after you - the storm - my son -
Battered grass under animal hooves, faeces and saliva,
Got smeared all over my body. Why on your own
You return to this marsh, tell me, please, O Wings.

Ever sleepless, I have seen in this watery abyss
Myriad graves to rise -
Only one of them is empty, where burn Candles of human lard,
one by one - What would you want me to choose,
O Wings, O Reincarnation?
Translated from Bangla by Subrata Augastine Gomes