Poetry at Sangam

Poetry at Sangam showcases poetry in English and translations as well as essays on poetics and news of new releases.

IN BHILAI by Ashok Vajpeyi

Translated from the Hindi by Rahul Soni.

 

Even there, where a machine chops off
iron’s burning outstretched arms with an inhuman sound
I will sleep soundly
and wake refreshed
without getting tangled up in nightmares –
and unmolested by any sweet word or gesture
I will remember you:
in an endless summer I may forget the seasons
but I will still recognise those fragrant days
when in my arms
your unwearied beauty will flower:
a murderous noise will be all around
and my heart
like molten incandescent iron
will flow towards you on countless paths
that you can keep shaping
to your heart’s desires –

            Then one night when
            your blood and your heart and your love
            will start becoming heavy like steel,
            I will
call out to you
from under the trains that carry people and coal
from behind the lights that guard sleeping cities:
the earth will be dazed like heavy black fear
the overcast sky will be still like death
and my countless parts will wait for you
near the machine-gates –

(1961)

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