LITERARY CORNER
With a splendid mix of politics and aesthetics, social realism and lyrical rhythm, Subhas Mukhopadyay’s poems made a significant difference in the landscape of Bengali poetry. We are happy to revisit one such poem which, the readers are likely to realize, has immense relevance in our times.
I have no more faith
in mere words of mouth,
whoever speaks them.
I must have solid proof
pat in my hand.
Nor do I wish
anyone to have faith
in my words,until he has tested me
through fire, through bloodshed
and through conflict,
and say
if I am a true coin.
In this gathering darkness
I can see the spectral faces
of those that duped me
with mere words.
By whatever name
they describe violence,
whatever the uniform
with which they camouflage war,
I refuse to be hoodwinked,
with whatever name
they may like to disguise death.
The land to which
I pledge my troth,
extends from the Indian Ocean
to the Himalayas.
No one can deprive me
of my birthright in this land,
because I refuse to be taken in
by mere words.
(Translated from Bengali by Kshitis Roy)
