A CONGREGATION OF DYING BIRDS

Mother-- please don't call me again at the end of day;
rather be in the forest with birds, days and nights.

By God, I couldn't be human 
though my father left me riches,
My inheritance at birth
Is all about being a Hindu or Christian
but never a human!

O Mother- your unworthy son
in a congregation of dying birds 
wearing anklets like children
prays for a glorious death!
Mother- with your keys you too 
unlock the chest – let the Earth turn red!

Translated from the Bengali by Mohammad Shafiqul Islam – poet, translator and academic – teaches English literature at Shahjalal University of Science & Technology.