For a while, I was a poet: Mangalesh Dabral

For a while, I was a poet, breathing new life into old, tattered verses, wondering if anyone still needs poetry.

Mangalesh Dabral (16th May 1948 - 9th December 2020)

For a while, I was a poet, 
breathing new life into old, tattered verses, 
wondering if anyone still needs poetry.
For a while, I was a father
seeking simpler words
for my children

At times, I mirrored my father,
sometimes merely a shadow of my ancestors
For a while, I toiled as a cautious servant,
praying only for a secure livelihood

For a while, I protested against injustice,
until I mustered the strength to endure it
I never thought I would write words 
that don't carry a piece of my soul,
words that belong to tyrants,
words dripping like blood
For a time, I fell and remained in a pit
and it was my very downfall as a human

I discovered that I was still alive and breathing,
and I realized that I have never been cruel;
rather I still harbor loathing for those 
who fearlessly inflict cruelty on others
and it was enough

And in the remaining time, I pondered,
Humans should at least sleep for six or seven hours
Yet when I woke up, it felt as though 
I was merely reborn into a familiar terrifying world
This thought consumed me for a while.

- Mangalesh Dabral 
 (Translated from Hindi by Shivam T.)

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