11/28/2016

IDONOTWISHEXILEANYMORE|TheDailyStar

Home Literature
12:00 AM, August 27, 2016 / LAST MODIFIED: 12:00 AM, August 27, 2016

I DO NOT WISH EXILE ANYMORE

Translated from the Bengali: MOHAMMAD SHAFIQUL ISLAM

SHAHID QADRI

I do not wish exile anymore

From my own village to a foreign city
From group bathing in the pond to a solitary lavatory
I do not wish any exile
Never wish
Exile anymore

http://www.thedailystar.net/literature/idonotwishexileanymore1276048

1/3

11/28/2016

IDONOTWISHEXILEANYMORE|TheDailyStar

From jui, chameli, chandramallika or kathgolap flowers

To tulip, magnolia or chrysanthemum
From my own city to the unknown footpath
From the skies of Asia as blue as peacock
To the foggy West
No, I do not wish
Any exile
Anymore.
I prefer my own home to the rented flat
The delicious shol fish soup to the
Tasteless chicken soup
And roll at dinner
No, I do not wish exile anymore.
From my month of Boishakh as bright as sword and
Rich with the buzzing of insects to
The cry of hounds in winter
This exile I do not wish anymore.
From the deep embrace of my love
To the flocks of foreigners obsessed in killing
This exile I do not wish anymore.
From the orient to the occident
Under the other flag engrossed in revelry
This submissive exile I do not wish anymore.

http://www.thedailystar.net/literature/idonotwishexileanymore1276048

2/3

11/28/2016

IDONOTWISHEXILEANYMORE|TheDailyStar

From love to lovelessness

From religion to bigotry
From progressiveness to the medieval helix of intransigence
From kiss to distance from lips
In an eternal coffin on the other side of life
This exile
I do not wish anymore
No more do I wish any exile.

Copyright:
Any unauthorized use or reproduction of The Daily Star content for commercial purposes is strictly
prohibited and constitutes copyright infringement liable to legal action.

LEAVE YOUR COMMENTSCOMMENT POLICY

1Comment

Sortby Newest

Addacomment...

MasudRanaAssistantCommissioner&ExecutiveMagistrateatOfficeofthedeputy
commissioner,Sherpur
It'smesmerizing.Frombeginingtoendthereisanmelody.Iamreallyenthralledwiththe
translation.
LikeReply

1Aug27,20162:10pm

MohammadShafiqulIslamWorksatDepartmentofEnglish,ShahjalalUniversityof
ScienceandTechnology,Sylhet,Bangladesh
Thankyouforthenicecomment.Feelinginspired!
LikeReplySep17,20162:24pm
FacebookCommentsPlugin

TOP NEWS

http://www.thedailystar.net/literature/idonotwishexileanymore1276048

3/3