Bhoopi Sherchan
Steady, bright and resplendent
The candle’s flame.
Let us suppose,
After the first period
The ablution over
Scattering her virginity
In the autumnal sunlight
As if somewhat tired
As if quite surprised
This is the smiling face
Of a fresh and lovely girl.
Steady, bright and resplendent
The candle’s flame.
Eyes full of agonized tears
But the pupils laughing with joy,
Let us suppose
That after a surgery
Coming back to her senses
Despite the great throes
Raising her head a little
Surveying the new-born child
This is the blissful eye
Of some woman blessed with a child.
Steady, bright and resplendent
The candle’s flame.
Here glows the face with radiant joy!
Here trickles the silent brine
Drop by drop!
Let us suppose
This is the face of a widow
At that moment
When simultaneously she recalls
A wedding and a dead husband.
Steady, bright and resplendent
The candle’s flame.
Translated by Padma Devkota (From “Contemporary Nepali Poems” published by Nepal Academy)
[Poet Bhoopi Serchan, the most popular and talked-of poet among his contemporaries after Rimal, is an influential signature of people’s literature, belonging to the cult of the progressive. The spirit of beauty, melody, satire and time are trademarks of his prose-poetry. Bhoopi was born in December 1935 at Thak-Tukuche, Mustang. He started writing around 1949, though his first published work ‘Naya Jhyaure’, a poem, appeared only in 1954. His published works include a play Parivartan (Change), poetry collections Naya Jhyaure (New Folk Tunes), Nirjhar (1958), Ghumne Mechmathi Andho Manchhe (A Blind Man on a Revolving Chair) and Bhoopi Sherchanka Kavita (Collection of Bhoopi’s Poems). He is a recipient of Sajha Award (for Ghumne Mechmathi Andho Manchhe, 1969) and Gorkha Dakshinbahu (1985). Bhoopi died in Kathmandu on14 May 1989.]