Coward

I know, Why you do not look back You have left your abode For the temple of God To while away the time With the dolls. And to flitter the self away Oh dear, Not knowing that playing with heart: Leads up to endless tears. So great is the debt When the eyes meet, | And the moments smack. I know, Why you do not look back. I know, Why you do not look back. When the eyes get lost In the eyes. And the word slowly dies.. When you are all alone. In the sanctum of your home There is collyrium In your bright eyes And not the tears. No deceit rings In the anklets you wear. As you walk, I know, Why you do hot look back I know, Why you do not look back, When no creepers On your feet roll As you stroll, In the wilderness. You plucked flowers In sheer absent mindness, Without hurting your fingers. Not knowing the truth either That, with the garlands The heart also withers. Not knowing that Behind a scurrilous mouth, A loneliness lurks. I know, Why you do not look back. I am conscious Of your deceitfulness and skill But you never knew, indeed That on your cheeks, There is a hue Of pomegranate seeds. Never knew that, The timid hearts of women, Like a creeper laden with a bee, For those untold words and the denials Shiver in agony. And as much as the eye wails The modesty prevails; I know you coward, Why your own image That you unwittingly fear. Of man, you have known, And he is a stone To whom you never bowed. You have desired A pair of covetous hands And bowed to touch the feet, Not knowing though A heart becomes a touch-stone With another touch on it. I know coward Why you wander. I know what is your fear When the desires of the heart In the two shores of body whisper. The fragrance of A blooming heart The petals can never thwart. However much you wish to hide, It breaks far and wide. All the secret words Have gathered in you dear I know what is your fear. I know, Why you cannot say openly: The nightingale has carried The message secretly. The words you wanted to hear, How did she know of it, oh dear? The same words The bride murmured Gently raising her eyes: Who knew that in her cruel fingers Such magic lies. I know, Why you cannot say openly. I know, Why no ornaments you wear The flame of agony Has burnt your flesh Into gold oh dear! To adorn a doll Of clay with attire? Why should gold Mere gold desire? Leaving the shores of the body The mind seeks purity. The agony of mine, oh dear. Now adorns your beauty I know, Why no ornament you wear. I know They will not abide; The maiden Who slept in the night Woke up as a bride. She swims with the foam Not really knowing The oyster's home. The pearl you have found But the shell of the eyes In the tears got drowned When the burden Is too heavy to bear, The heart also sinks In utter despair. Oh unlucky woman! How shall you make it clear? [Original: Bhiru; Translation: Syed Mujibul Huq]