Memories

Rajinder Krishan

O forgotten memories,
don't torment me so much;
let me be at peace,
stay away from me, please.

I’ve gathered in my lap,
broken stars;
how long can I live thus,
taking support from dreams?
I am already crazy,
don't make me crazier;
let me be at peace,
stay away from me, please.

Don't rob me this way,
bringing me to the crossroads;
don't call and tempt me
by showing a new way.
I've just managed to stand up
don't make me fall, and fall again;
let me be at peace,
stay away from me, please.

Translated by Hari Ravikumar
These are the lyrics of a song from the movie Sanjog, sung by Mukesh, composed by Madan Mohan.

The Path of Fire

Harivansh Rai Bachchan

A tree, large and shady,
might stand in front of thee.
Even the shelter of a single leaf,
ask not, ask not, ask not
for this is the path of fire.

Thou shalt not rest,
thou shalt not stop,
thou shalt not stray,
take an oath, take an oath, take an oath
for this is the path of fire.

Spectacular is this sight
of the human race in motion.
With blood, sweat, and tears
it is blotched, it is blotched, it is blotched
for this is the path of fire.

Translated by Hari Ravikumar

The Story of a Hen

Shukanto Bhattacharjee

One day, out of nowhere, a hen got shelter
along with a few other hens
in a small corner of a huge palace
amidst a pile of broken packing boxes.

Though it got shelter
it didn't get enough food to eat.
It let out a sharp cry of protest
till its throat cracked,
from morning to evening,
yet it found no sympathy in the huge, strong building.

Then began frequent visits to the dustbin.
Surprise! Every day, it found there
thrown away, magical rice and bread aplenty.
Soon the dustbin had new visitors, asking for a share -
dirty and broken, poverty-stricken, dressed in rags, a few men.
The food supply stopped for the weakness-abundant hen.

Food! Food! Food to eat!
The helpless hen went in search of food.
Time and again, it tried to enter the palace
and each time, it was royally snubbed.

The small hen raised its head high and dreamt -
heaps and heaps of food within the palace walls!
Then, one day, it went into the palace indeed;
at once, it went, straight ahead
to the expensive, snow-white cloth-covered table
definitely not to eat the food -
but as the food.

Translated by Hari Ravikumar