}} AN APHORISM FOR DEATH by Mandakranta Sen |

Poetry at Sangam

SangamHouse

 










AN APHORISM FOR DEATH by Mandakranta Sen

Translated by Sudeep Sen

O joy personified — I bow before you and pray.
Today is so auspicious — it is the goat sacrifice day.

From the bloodline of elixir that goat was bred,
Glue nectar holds together its torso and head.

Ambrosia he eats, and nectar he drinks,
Death is like his elixir — can’t you see the link?

Because it’s death alone who can consume the potion,
Potatoes are served to you obeying old notions.

O joy personified — you relish slaughter like spice,
That’s why you’re served a spicy dish of frustrated rice.

It’s slaughter that is your food and your drink as well.
How do you digest them? — Come on, please tell.

So that I check my puke at the sacrificial block,
O executioner, I bow before you. You rock.

 

MANDAKRANTA SEN