Durgalal Shrestha
I stand on the pointed tip of an erect arrow.
It pains, yes it deeply pains
but I tolerate; I am able to tolerate so far.
At all places
I can clearly see,
who among my kinsmen
are sons, and who the horses of others.
I have been able to see,
standing on the pointed tip of an erect arrow.
It pains, yes it deeply pains
but I tolerate; I am able to tolerate so far.
This clock,
ah, this decent pain
yes, this is my existence!
Pray, no one disturbs.
At the moment, I have attained myself,
and am stroking my own self
standing on the pointed tip of an erect arrow.
It pains, yes it deeply pains
but I tolerate; I am able to tolerate so far.
Translated by Mahesh Paudyal
[A talented, progressive poet both of Newari and Nepali languages, Durga Lal Shrestha is also a lyricist par excellence. He takes help of alliteration to add musicality to his poems. Poet Durgalal was born in July, 1935 in Kathmandu. He stated writing around 1949, and got published for the first time in 1952, when his poem “Dui Thopa” (Two Drops) appeared in Suskera. His published works include Nimatrana (Invitation, a poetic drama), Ichchhako Simana (The Border of Desires, a short epic for children), Tapak, Phool Timrai Baariko (Flowers from Your Garden), Kirmire Dharsaharu (Crooked Lines) all collection of poems. Kagajko Dunga (Paper Boat, a collection of songs for children), Chirbiri (Chirping), a collection of poems for children, and Antarbhav (Internal Feelings), love poems, also translated into English and some other works in Newari make up the corpus of his works. Durgalal is a recipient of Shrestha Sirapa, Murtimaan Sirapa, Narottamdas-Indira Award, Abhiyan Award, Noor-Ganga Award, Rashtriya Balsahitya Award, the title of ‘Janakavi’ (People’s Poet) conferred by Nepal Bhasha Parishad (2003), Best Director’s Medal, JAA Best Playwrights Medal (1991), Honorary Member, Nepal Academy (1995), Harihar Shastri–Savitri Devi Literary Award (2006) etc. His lives in Kathmandu with his family.]