Nobody sees
They swarms like locust
And then they go
And I sit here
Unnoticed
Are they humans
Or empty skin
Like a hungry dog
I have been lying here for days
Hoping for some small respite
But they come in herds
Like wild buffalo
And then they go
Untouched within
Are they humans
Or empty skin
They think they know it all
Love and hate
Pain and pleasure
Compassion and sin
But look
How they laugh and grin
Gorge and drink
Whilst I lay dying
Touching their feet
Are they humans
Or empty skin
I am rejected
I am dejected
I am beaten
I am raped
I am numb
But what about them
Are they humans
Or empty skin.
Translation, by author himself | 15 November 2004, London
Mishra plans to translate more of his poems after he retires from politics. His Nepali poems have been compiled in ‘Rabindra Mishraka Kabita’. Please go to the BOOKS section to find out more about his poetry book and where to purchase it.
