May 28, 2015

This joyous evening today

আজি এ আনন্দসন্ধ্যা
Aaji e anondo shondhaay

This joyous evening today blossoms with beauty
In the soft breeze across the sky
Drifts a sweet loveliness, eager and bewildered

In the stunned silence of the sky
The planets and stars in quiet stillness
Rain down sweet nectar, in a melody of light

My heart and mind slowly brim over
With this sweet grace from above
My body thrills in deep delight

The sky speaks out its heart

আজ আকাশের মনের কথা ঝরো ঝরো বাজে
Aaj akasher moner kotha

The sky speaks out its heart
In pitter patter raindrops today
My heart beats to that tune throughout the day

The shadow of clouds creep across
The dark waters of the lake
The breeze sings of an ancient ache from another epoch
My heart beats to that tune throughout the day

Alone I sit by the dark casement
To each other we speak, the sky and I

Words from faded memories
Like the soft rustling of leaves
Ring out in a soft dewy melody
In the evening alive with the chirp of crickets
My heart beats to that tune throughout the day

You are evermore deep within

আছ অন্তরে চিরদিন
Aachho ontore chirodin

You are evermore deep within
Why do I still weep
Why can’t I see your glow
Why am I directionless in the darkness

I am unmoored, you are my shore
Why do I still drift away on the sea of death

O supreme joyous
When you are my lord
Why do I wander off on the way

You wiped my tears mother

আঁখিজল মুছাইলে জননী
Aankhijol muchhaile jononi

You wiped my tears mother
Your affection knows no bounds
Blessed you are, blessed is your compassion

You looked out for the one orphaned
You drew close the one begrimed
None who come in search of sweetness
Is ever turned away from your door

I have seen today your loving smile
I have found the shade at your feet
There is nothing more to ask for
My wish is fulfilled, my heartache gone

May 27, 2015

Troop after troop of clouds beckon

আকাশতলে দলে দলে মেঘ যে ডেকে যায়
Akashtole dole dole megh

Troop after troop of clouds beckon
As they march across the horizon
“Come, come, come”
An excitement ripples through
Rose-apple woods and mango groves
“Coming, we are coming”
The branches tingle in thrill
A wish to fly up and away
Awakens amidst the leaves

Along the river time and again
Beckon the clouds “come, come, come”
Kaash flowers stir in response
“Coming, we are coming”

In harmony with the song of clouds
Glide the boats with their sails unfurled

May 22, 2015

Why do I not hear your voice O Lord

কেন বাণী তব নাহি শুনি নাথ
Keno bani tobo nahi shuni

Why do I not hear your voice O Lord
Blessing this blind with sight
You leave her then in darkness
In sad separation from you
Pass by night and day

If to evanesce like a dream
Why give me cognition
Only a glimpse in a flash
And heartache for a lifetime
I look at myself and see
A waterfall of tears

If this life awakens anew at your touch
Why baffle it with the jab of deathly arrows

Crush my arrogance, fill my heart with love
Take my heart and mind, keep me with you

May 17, 2015

With a drumroll across the sky

বাদল-মেঘে মাদল বাজে গুরুগুরু
Badol meghe madol baaje

The clouds announce themselves
With a drumroll across the sky
My heart sways to the deep sound
Her own rhythm brings forth oblivion

Where was it, deep within
The secret pain in a secret song
It unfurls and fans out
In rain soaked breeze
To verdant forest shades
All around in many a song

May 16, 2015

The minstrel-cloud plays his lute

বাদল-বাউল বাজায় রে একতারা
Badol baul bajay re ektara

The minstrel-cloud plays his lute
A day long stream of pitter patter pit

Intoxicated by his own tune
He dances around and drains himself
In paddy fields and rose-apple woods

Dreadlocks of dense clouds
Pile up on the darkening sky
Pitter patter on the leaves
Peal out like anklet bells

Distracted by an alluring tune
Luring one away from home
The east wind wanders bereft

May 15, 2015

O my Lord, filling my body and life

হে মোর দেবতা, ভরিয়া এ দেহ প্রাণ
Hey moro debota

O my Lord, filling my body and life
what nectar do you wish to partake

Do you wish to see your world
Through the eyes of your poet
Holding me spellbound
Guarding your silence
Do you wish to hear your song

Your creation stirs in my heart
A kaleidoscope of words
Your love weaves them into songs

It is your grace you see
When you bestow yourself in me