War a hearts ravage-3
English Translation: P. Jayalakshmi & Bhargavi Rao
Telugu Original : “Yuddham oka Gunde Kotha” by Seela Subhadra Devi
Earth like a fledgling bird
wings folded in, caved into herself
in the disturbed or disguised sleep
through crescent eyes
sees amid the sky,
men, eyes without a wink,
hang out by fear fangs.
When self-possessed Buddhas
vowed to penance for years
rain nectar, grace, through half-closed eyes,
unperturbed, despite
smiles showering through blossoming lips,
were blown to smithereens mine-busted,
punctured the heart–
then itself reared war’s ugly head.
It can be Masjid at one place
The Thathagatha at the other,
temple at one,
yet elsewhere
skyscrapers standing resolute and royal,
presuming to puncture the sky
possessed of arrogance and imperial might.
Hard on,
broken needlepoint
entered life’s flux unaware.
Anxiety in eyes like a tender layer wove over
when landmark structures were crashed.
A gnawing needle’s pain
dagger-like galled the heart,
as crowbar left on life livelong indelible stamp.
Then itself
seismic waves of chaos raced to collide
with windows of world humanity’s heart,
causing current of bloodshed.
Tidal wave rose high all at once,
thereafter
ebbed in quiet surrender to violence.
Like saints soliciting shelter in silence
ebbed too men’s hearts turning wise,
left self’s inner temple empty.
…. ….. ……
Religion is creating a bridge of swords between men.
Forgotten that friendly hug’s
envelop of hearts in affection.
Consuming war flames even consume
moonlit nights that should captivate
hearts in friendship’s fragrance.
Henceforth, life’s journey, perhaps,
may have to be through
flaming fury’s redness, and desert sands.
To express a frank opinion
hide the face behind a burkha of suspicion.
This is the condition!
Differences between men
deepen into a chasm.
Every heart a rumbling volcano
distressing mind’ s calm placid ocean,
stewing volcanic fires;
fearing, turbulent thoughts
showing as tears from eye corners,
all wear identical dark glasses.
In truth,
all indulge in politics to kill time.
Toss words back and forth
between mouth and ear.
As in a kaleidoscope
will continue to rotate words
throwing up shapes surprising,
but words falsify heart’s feelings,
speech will betray heart’ fear.
Then will forget to live life our way.
Not knowing where to turn to, religion, or
lend a hand to imperialism,
immerse self in opaque confusion.
The heart beats humanely
continually affecting the mind,
but words between teeth bitten,
regress beneath the tongue.
*****
(To be continued-)
జన్మస్థలం విజయనగరం.రచయిత,కవి, చిత్ర కారుడు ఐనా శీలా వీర్రాజు గారి తో వివాహానంతరం హైదరాబాద్ లో నివాసం.1970 లో కథారచన తో సాహిత్య రంగంలో అడుగు పెట్టి తొమ్మిది కవితా సంపుటాలు, మూడు కథా సంపుటాలు,ఒక నవలిక వెలువరించారు. వంద మంది కవయిత్రుల కవితల సంకలనం ” ముద్ర” కు డా.పి.భార్గవీరావు తో కలిసి సహసంపాదకత్వం వహించారు.ప్రధానోపాధ్యాయినిగా పదవీవిరమణ చేసారు.