~Masan Upasak~
Translation: Mahesh Paudyal
Before leaving for town
we ought to look
at Mothers old loin
and promise, we would change it the following year;
ought to listen to Fathers age-old dreams
and counsel, we have to dream anew henceforth;
scan peers faces never to forget them;
show the scar on the left cheek
and bequeath traces of memory somewhere back;
tell Phulmaya
she would derive life from those old memories.
Come hither; lets engage in Rodi dance
for, we too need to treasure memoires of the Rodighar.
O Paruhang, lets read the Mundhum for once;
I need to spread wisdom there,
need to ponder over the beads on a garland
a nun counts even as she meditates, every day.
Thulikanchhi,
in the town, who will croon the dawns ditty
that emanates early from pitchers at the water spring?
Do the birds wake up early and sing
until their music shakes me up in the morning?
Do people there share joys and sorrows
as Ramjanam next-door does with me? Brother, tell me the truth:
Do people in town have hearts as we do?
I hardly count heartless people as people!
Before leaving for town
I have to embolden my heart,
ready my luggage,
and carry countless memoires.
Who knows
Those who leave once
might never come back!
