Response

Utpal Chattopadhyay

Original poem: ‘Uttar’ by Shamsur Rahman

Translation: Utpal Chattopadhyay

 

Gazing at the most beautiful spread of the blue above,

you can certainly proclaim

“The sky is mine alone,”

But the sky will not respond to you.

In the evening, with a camelia in your hand, you can say without hesitation,

“Little flower, you belong to me,”

Though the flower will remain quiet, absorbed in its own fragrance.

When the moonlight floods your room

you have the right to say “The moonlight is mine,”

but the radiant moon will remain silent.

If you were to look into my eyes

and whisper “you are mine, just mine” 

how will I remain quiet, as if I am not a man? 

I will spread the word among the stars, 

that 

“I am yours, and you mine.”