Incongruity

Translated from the Bengali:
Kabir Chowdhury

I see a black darkness 
falling from all direction. 
Won't we go and take part 
in the fireworks?
Who are they spoiling our 
happiness and joy?
Why do they paint the bright 
blue sky with black splotches?

What message does the 21st century 
bring? I feel a hairy paw 
scratching my brains. 
The dream-filled days 
are now drenched in blood. 
And the wind shouts, Bravo! Bravo! 

Dear friends who gathered 
to chalk out plans for tomorrow 
stood silent and still. 
They saw dark clouds gathering 
at the distant horizon.

The constant bleeding 
from the cells of my brain 
has blurred my memories. 
They look with amazed eyes 
at the destruction of all tenets 
of democracy. 

Where do we stand now? 
The top leaders of society 
are busy enjoying the festival 
of blood. Overhead vultures 
fly gleefully.
Now there is a huge incongruity 
between one's words and one's deeds!