Collected Works of Nolini Kanta Gupta - Vol. 8

I BRING no magic herbs,

I bring only the blood of my veins—

­O, wake up from vain slumber!

If I am struck blind,

If these eyes see no more your face,

If the whole earth is locked out utterly,

Well, let it be so ­—

If you only open wide your fiery eyes.

If I turn deaf, let it be so:

In the molten fire of your voice

If I cannot bake the ribs of my breast,

Well, let it be so -. .

O, only keep open your sharp ears.

If I am silenced forever

And struck dumb,

If all the gathered words of my life remain

Entombed, coursing within the sands of my bosom,

Well, let it be so ­—

If you only unveil your effulgent face.

If you but cast a glance,

This earth is youthful once again. ...

If you but lend your ear,

The air and the wind will voice their mind ...

If you speak,

The rivers and hills will be all ears!

If I am sunk in sleep, stilled to the core

And the whole earth slips out through the fingers,

As though a half-eaten fruit,

Well, let it be so ­

If you only woke up from the vain slumber.

I bring no magic herbs, I bring only the blood of my veins:

The earth is yours, wake up

And hold it in your conquering hands!

NABANITA DEBSEN

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