Hope

By Asmita Kar

“STILL…DOES THE OWL KEEP ITS WAKE…THE WRETCHED, IMMOBILE FROG…BEGS THE UNIVERSE FOR TWO MORE SECONDS OF ITS SHORT LIFE…WITH THE HOPE TO SEE ANOTHER DAWN; ANOTHER SUNRISE…FOR THE CONCEIVABLE UPCOMING WARMTH…IT HAS SO LOVED…”  

------ TRANSLATION OF BENGALI POEM, “আট বছর আগের এক দিন” (AATH BOCHOR AAGER EK DIN) BY JIBANANANDA DAS. 

The World crumbles down, each day, a little bit more.

Societies fall to ruin, to corruption, each day, a little bit more.

Humanity unleashes, unbelievable horrors on itself, 

Through sirens, war planes, crimes, blood and tears. 

Innocent lives are shattered, by the greed of enemies, both in and out one’s own home.

Faith dwindles…giving ground to fear, and despair. 

Each day, Humanity seems a little bit more lost. 

Each day, Life seems to lose the battle. 

Each day, the World seems a little bit darker. 

Each day, the ray of light appears to be thinning. 

Each day, more and more sorrow gains ground. 

Each day, Love appears defeated. 

Each day, Friendship seems to get extinct.

Still, 

Each day, a Nightingale sings.

Each day, Miracles still happen. 

Each day, some new bonds are sworn over ribbon bands.

Each day, Love fights to maintain, and to be maintained.

Each day, several stars come up in the sky. 

Each day, amidst all sorrow, humanity smiles. 

Flowers bloom, birds sing to a new morning.

Life finds a way to celebrate itself.

A teenage girl finds her favourite book in a bookshop; a little boy receives his most wanted action figure.

Each day, a tiny voice whispers, “Don’t give up yet…”

And each day, 

At every new dawn…Hope unfurls its wings.

Even after all this carnage,

Like a tiny, gentle, voice of courage,

Hope still sustains. 

By Asmita Kar