Poetry International Poetry International
Poem

Ranajit Das

AFTER MY DEATH

The sinister shadow of my life
will someday be lifted from over my poems.
 
Like thrown-away plastic dishes after a feast
all memories will be
              swept away by the night wind.
 
Will my poems, at least, a few lines of them,
be then considered
readable under candle light?
 
This possibility is all—
That’s why, before leaving, one has to erase all traces
of one’s personal life, like a cautious jailbird.
 
That’s why one has to
salute the books and termites
              before departing.
 

মৃত্যু-প্রকল্প

মৃত্যু-প্রকল্প

লেখার ওপর থেকে জীবনের অপচ্ছায়া
মুছে যাবে একদিন।
রাত্রির বাতাস এসে উড়িয়ে নিয়ে যাবে।

তখন কি লেখাগুলি, অন্তত দু'একটি পঙ্ক্তি
মোমবাতির আলোয়, পাঠযোগ্য বলে গণ্য হবে?

এই সম্তাবনাটুকুই সর্বস্ব। এর জন্য
জেলঘুঘু-র মতো, ব্যক্তিগত জীবনের সব চিহ
লোপাট করে দিয়ে যেতে হয়।

শ্লেটপাথর এবং উইপোকাকে প্রণাম জানিয়ে যেতে হয়।
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AFTER MY DEATH

The sinister shadow of my life
will someday be lifted from over my poems.
 
Like thrown-away plastic dishes after a feast
all memories will be
              swept away by the night wind.
 
Will my poems, at least, a few lines of them,
be then considered
readable under candle light?
 
This possibility is all—
That’s why, before leaving, one has to erase all traces
of one’s personal life, like a cautious jailbird.
 
That’s why one has to
salute the books and termites
              before departing.
 

AFTER MY DEATH

The sinister shadow of my life
will someday be lifted from over my poems.
 
Like thrown-away plastic dishes after a feast
all memories will be
              swept away by the night wind.
 
Will my poems, at least, a few lines of them,
be then considered
readable under candle light?
 
This possibility is all—
That’s why, before leaving, one has to erase all traces
of one’s personal life, like a cautious jailbird.
 
That’s why one has to
salute the books and termites
              before departing.
 
Sponsors
Gemeente Rotterdam
Nederlands Letterenfonds
Stichting Van Beuningen Peterich-fonds
Ludo Pieters Gastschrijver Fonds
Lira fonds
Partners
LantarenVenster – Verhalenhuis Belvédère