Basanta Raj Agyat
If I could sell,
I would place all these tears in a bazaar;
If I could buy,
I would fill the lips all with laughter.
How can the whole face be fitted in a crumbled mirror?
The dusk even being so beautiful, invites the night hour.
If sorrows were washed, I would dip my life whole in water
If I could buy, I would fill the lips all with laughter.
No one worships a battered temple, even if God resides there
The blot of Moon can’t be removed, even of millions endeavor
If I could find, I would fit hundreds of joy in a picture
If I could buy, I would fill the lips all with laughter.
Translated by: Jayant Sharma
[Basanta Raj Agyat is a Nepali poet, editor and lyricist. Associated with Nepal Academy, Agyat has a collection of songs Makhamali Durbar to his credit. He also edits Himali Gurans a Nepali literary periodical.]