Bishnu Bibhu Ghimire
They say an army wins a battle
But O! where does it win a battle
But O! where does it win devotion
But O! where does it win faith
Oh you idiots who claim
That an army wins a battle
The army only wins widows
The army only wins orphans
The army only wins the lame
And the army is always defeated
Inside the country itself
When suddenly the sleeping have arisen
The gun too has lost
The bullet too has felt ashamed
All the wars have been ruined
No, I absolutely do not believe it
How can a gun kill living people
It is true it kills
Only those who are asleep
It can kill the slaves alone
It can only deceive those
Who have not been able to wake up
When suddenly the sleeping have arisen
The army has always lost the war
Inside the country itself
Translated by Padma Devkota
[Poet Ghimire is a powerful exponent of modern Nepali poetry. In poetry, he advocates in favor of social justice, even from the midst of a decadent crowd. Born in August 1953 in Ilam, poet Ghimire started writing in 1970. His first published work by ‘Jyamirgadhi’, a poem published in Suryadev in 1972. He served as the Vice-Chancellor of Nepal Academy for a term. His published works include poetry collections Kathgharama Ubhiyera (Standing on the Witness Box), Kanda-kandama Tekera (Walking atop Thorns) and a tele-film titled Janiko Sancho Sahayatra (The True Companionship of the Sacred Thread). He also edited national journals like Garima, Ahile, and Bimochan. Poet Bibhu is a recipient of Pratibha Award, Moti Award, National Talent Award, Manshree Award, Jaycees Honor, Literary Journalism Award etc. Poet Ghimire also served as the Vice Chancellor of Nepal Academy.]