~Manprasad Subba~
Translation : Suraj Dhadkan
Not on the famous Tiger Hill and Sandakphu
but on the hills of oxen’s backs and camels’ humps
the earth has suffered much.
Those poor walking hills
with no real names.
Everyday, to the point of dizziness,
this earth goes spinning
round and round the flatness of dry chapatti.
Rolling the earth round the wheels
motor vehicles go where I don’t know.
But endlessly walking along footpaths, lanes and trails
the earth comes and goes with innumerable feet.
Not on the lift or escalator
but with porters’ heavy footsteps
or crawling on elbow and knees
the earth moves slowly and steadily
uphill
and
down-
hill
How far has the earth moved so far?
Look at the torn shoes
for a volume of answers
or read the words
inscribed on cracked heels.
