Lines Dedicated to My Love

Translated by Kazi Fazlur Rahman

(One)

I have but one life

And I offered it to you

You left me bereft

When you declined it with disdain;

Life became a void

Worth nothing.

What can I offer you now?

All I have is a small slice of love

A love already too soiled

Tarnished by your callous neglect.

Yet that's all I have to offer

For you to tread on unfeelingly

So you do – I implore you.

(Two)

Your love made my life sweeter

And the rest of the world

Sad and melancholy.

Why could you not be a flower

Without a stem?

Then you wouldn't sway

To and fro,

In the murmuring breezes.

Now, whenever I seek to hide you

Light and breeze rush in as invaders

To snatch you away from me.

And unlock all the secrets

Between us two

For the world to see.

I stretch out my hands

To hold you tenderly

But tyrants make you a captive

Their spears sharp and ready

To impale my love

That like a butterfly

Seeks only you.

Mahbub Talukdar is a poet, Novelist and Short Story Writer. At present he is an Election Commissioner, Bangladesh Election Commission.

Kazi Fazlur Rahman is a Novelist and Short Story writer. He is a retired bureaucrat and Adviser of Bangladesh Caretaker Government 1990-91.