THOUSANDS OF YEARS MERELY PLAY
(Hajar Bochorer)

Jibanananda Das

Thousands of years merely play like fireflies in darkness.
Pyramids all about. The smell of coffins.
Moonlight upon sand. Here and there shadows of date palms
Like disintegrated columns. Assyria stands dead-humbled.
Stench of mummy on our bodies: all of life's business is finished.
"Remember?" she asked. I queried merely, "Banalata Sen?"


THOUSANDS OF YEARS MERELY PLAY

Thousands of years merely play like fireflies in darkness.
All about the abode of eternal night.
Moonlight upon sand. Here and there shadows of devadaru trees
Like disintegrated columns. Dwaraka stands dead-humbled.
Sleep's scent on our bodies: all of life's business is finished.
"Remember?" she asked. I queried merely, "Banalata Sen?"