Meeting You
BRAJAKISHORE DAS
Unexpectedly I meet you at times
and grow restless. You keep silent
but 1 can understand the depth of your agony.
You have tracked a long way
and have come to me. Be sure you’ve made
no wrong choice. Many are the wounds,
the crises and the ignominies
inflicted on you. I know not your past,
hence I know not
what exactly is your sorrow.
But let me wipe away the warm tears
from your eyes. I too was a lone traveller
like you and often my feet have bled
while strange poisons embittered my life–
but now my tongue has turned
all poison into nectar. Today when I meet you
I forget my own agonies and fears
as I’m sure you’ll share my sorrows
with understanding.
–Translated from Oriya by the poet