A Photograph (“Ekti Photograph” from the poetical work Ek Phota Kemon Anal , 1986 by Shamsur Rahman. Translated by Md. Abu Zafor) Do come in, please! Come in! And what’s up? You’re fine, sure! How about the kids? After a small talk– Pointing at the still photograph on the white wall I said to my questioning guest, “This is my youngest son who is no more, Like a piece of stone He was drowned in our village pond. About three years from now, at a crow-cawing grisma [1] noon.” How easily had I narrated this! My throat did not tremble a bit No sigh heaved up ripping my heart Eyes did not moisten with tears. I am startled to hear my own voice. What indifference! how cold! Three years from now– only three years– Once how I weaved a deep sorrow! Meanwhile, which malevolence has turned My mourning-river into a dreary char [2] so fast? As the guest has left, I stood again Before the photograph’s curious eyes With a waning grief From in
Dr. Abu Zafor
Dr. Md Abu Zafor's Website (Professor- Department of English, Jagannath University, Dhaka, Bangladesh)