Homeland—Fragrance of Soil

Translated by Jyotirmoy Nondy

Tumultuous sorrow felt so deep 
Your memory I cannot sweep. 
Still within my heart abides 
The homestead where my spirit hides. 
I left behind the pillow bare 
And pigeons coo within that lair.
Here lived my father, devout and kind, 
And my mother�"selfless, with gentle mind. 
Where shall I seek her, where shall I roam? 
Her face is lost, her voice is my home.
In fasting days of Ramadan, restraint was near 
The beloved son, and his mother dear. 

In the yard stands the plum tree, 
Custard fruits hang there abundantly. 
I turn behind�" my heart is stone�"  
In the summer heat I walk alone.
I never wished to part away 
From the river flowing within my sway. 
Upon its breast, vast memories gleam, 
The golden childhood, and the sweetest dream, 

And the silver streaks of nostalgia sing, 
And a fledgling bird beats its wing.