Beyond Land and Time

Walking Alone

(Pôth Hātā)

Translated by Faisal Shahriar

I have walked alone for hours on the streets of the city

with something at the back of my mind—watched the street-cars

and buses going on their rounds;

Then leave the road for their calm, sleepy Hades:

The gas lamps burn faithfully throughout the long night,

Everything is in its own place—the doors, windows, roofs,  signboards, masonry of the city, all

Know the beckoning of quiet sleep under the sky.

I have walked alone for miles, have known their deep calm at heart;

It was the dead of night—stars had clustered around

The lonely peaks of the city’s monuments—have I ever known such natural grace

This nocturnal Calcutta of myriad stars and monuments?

I glance downwards—the cigar burns quietly—the air is heavy  with dust, straw;

I slide away with closed eyes—the dead leaves have floated away—

From the trees; thus had I walked alone on the night

            streets of Babylon;

Why, I am yet to know after thousands of feverish years.