I Can Go, But Why Shall I? Poem by Shakti Chattopadhay

I think, I will rather turn back
So long,
I have smeared so much soot in my hands
Never thought of you as you are -

Now, when I stand by the gorge at night,
The moon beckons, come on over -
Now, when I stand mesmerized by the levee,
The pyre logs call, 'come, c'mon over! '

I can go,
I can go in any direction
But why shall I go?

Got to kiss a long one to my kid
Will go,
But not right now
I will take you along as well
Won't go alone before time.

[Translated by Arindam Basu]