An ode to freedom

Shamsur Rahman :
Freedom, you’re
Tagore’s timeless poetry and everlasting lyrics.
Freedom, you’re
Kazi Nazrul, the regally maned magnificent man,
rapturous in creation, oh joy.
Freedom, you’re
the radiant gathering at Shahid Minar on Language Day.
Freedom, you’re
the flag-draped, slogan-serenaded boisterous procession.
Freedom, you’re,
the farmer amidst his fields, beaming face.
Freedom, you’re
the village lass’s lightsome swim in mid-day pond.
Freedom, you’re
the sinewy muscles on a skilled workman’s sunbronzed arms.
Freedom, you’re
the glint in the eyes of a freedom fighter scouting the
darkened and deserted borders.
Freedom, you’re
the crisply-worded, scorching speech of a sprited
scholar beneath the Shade of a banyan tree.
Freedom, you’re
the tumult of chats, in tea-shops, public gathering and the park.
Freedom, you’re
the roaring swoop of kal-boishakhi on the fiery horizon athwart.
Freedom, you’re
the Meghna’s hearts, swelling shores in the month of Sraban.
Freedom, you’re
the velvety touch, father’s chivalrous prayer-mat.
Freedom, you’re
the ripples on mother’s unadorned sari stretched in the yard.
Freedom, you’re
the hue of henna on sister’s gentle hand.
Freedom, you’re
a vivid placard shimmering stars gripped by a friend.
Freedom, you’re
the wife’s raven tresses, tempestuous in the untamed wind.
Freedom, you’re:
The colourful kurta on a young boy.
The playful sunlight on a girl’s supple cheeks.
Freedom, you’re:
The home amidst a flower garden; the warble of koel bird.
The twittering leaves of antediluvian banyan trees.
My notebook of poetry, to pen poems as I please.

[Translated from ‘Shadinota Tumi’ (Bengali) by Syed M. Islam.]