Voice

By Bimal Bhaukajee

The birds continued to sing
Even though the singing was not heard.
When did the singing ever stop ?
The birds continued to sing…
to sing.

The bird sang
through the pen
through the flute
through the rake
and
while they sang
the birds were
restrained
suppressed
crushed
… and one day the birds died.

The birds may have died
but victory didn’t
in case it had
how and where would they thrive
as tender young shoots ?
Why and how would they spread
as the great blue sky ?

The songs of the birds rise above death.

[Bimal Bhaukajee (b. 1963) is a noted poet, critic and editor from Nepal. Also known for his satirical essay, he edits Sarada, one of the oldest literary magazines of Nepal. His seminal works include Tin Aankhako Manchhe, Jindavad Murdavad, Yatrapachhi Yatra, Asina Bhoot and Jasko Jot Usko Pot, and Shripech Nalagayeko Raja, while the number of books he has edited is around a dozen. He lives in Kathmandu.]