~Bhisma Upreti~
Translated by Meenu Minocha
Afore leaving home in the morn
Detach did I my face from my body
And placed it in the frame on the wall
Next extracted my heart from my chest
Depositing it in the frame as well
Then segregating my brain from my head
Reverentially adorned the frame with it too!
I gazed at the frame
At the self-satisfied picture, it displayed
As if acknowledging the superfluous I.
Perceiving the leftover me in the mirror
I decided-
Worthy was I to venture abroad
Capable of co-mingling with humanity.
So I dressed, wearing
A coat
A tie and glasses
Freshly polished shoes
For was I not a revered guest at the assemblage
I deserved to sprinkle perfume!
And looking at my bejeweled watch
I vacated my house!
(Source : Global Literature in Libraries Initiative (GLLI) website)
