"Talupu," "Padya Samadhi" by Ismail: English Versions

by Crazyfinger

Some week days it just is near impossible to do anything other than your day job.  So tired and jaded I aimlessly began reading Ismail's poems again last night.  These two stayed in my head until this morning.  Short ones (short, not simple) are easier to write them out in English because of the compactness of the presentation...Here are two of Ismail's poems.  They both can be found in Telugu original here.  First poem below, Door, is the poem "Talupu" and the second, A Grave for a Poem, is the poem "Padya Samadhi." 

Door
Upset with me
Suddenly opening the door
You left

For bursting open
The door I closed
For your sake long ago
Letting in sunshine and air
Many thanks

A Grave for a Poem
Digging deep the poem, is the poet
Beneath tons of dirt
Beneath tons of heart
Lies covered the poem

Who buried it this deep, don't know
Got to get out the coffin
Digging days and nights
May be it'll come alive
At the touch of a breath

Digging the poem deep
When the casket lid was opened
Everytime from within
The cadaver that comes alive
Is the poet himself

Comments

[anu]

Delightful poem -Door!!! Like it very much :)

[RAVINDRA]

DOOR IS SPLENDID.
THE POET DIGS DEEPEST TO FIND AND ARTICULATE HIMSELF. FINE JOB BY TRANSLATOR.