SP Koirala
I am learning something from someone – relentlessly
I am hearing something from someone – ceaselessly
I am comprehending everything from everyone – continually
and yet, learning, hearing and comprehending haven’t begun.
I don’t know what happens elsewhere
but inside my geography
dusk comes only after the night wanes.
Learning after having learnt
hearing after having heard, comprehending after having
comprehend
the day of my every task breaks only this way.
All over the room dazed in mockery
I don’t even have a mild smile
I don’t know what happens elsewhere
but inside my anthropology
happiness starts when smiles exhaust.
In spite of staying with bereaved souls
all over the cremation banks,
I cannot shoulder a drop of grief even,
a single drop is not under my will.
I don’t know what happens with others.
But inside my biology
sorrow starts when tears run dry.
The bugle trumpets all over the battlefield
a small portion of fervor has deserted me
the khukuri in my girdle refuses to reach my hand
I cannot tell about other fighters
but in my history, still
a war starts after the truce.
Living a life amid the family
I could not sketch a single line of future
I don’t have a drop of luck.
I cannot tell about others;
in my astrology, however
life always starts after death.
Translated by Mahesh Paudyal
Poet and lyricist SP Koirala writes poems and songs that are worthy of asserting their own poetic existence. The impressions of lyricist Koirala can be easily discerned in the musicality of his verses. Poet Koirala, a former bureaucrat and Finance Minister, was born on 16 June 1963 in Bhojpur District of Nepal. He entered the lane of writing in 1978 and has been writing since then. His published works include poetry collections Tankiko Ghaans (Leaves of Orchid Tree), Nirbastra Nagarima (In a Naked Town); Dhadkanbhitra (Inside the Heartbeat) and song collections Dhadkanbhitra (Inside the Heartbeat), Upama (Simile) and Prahar (Moment). He is a recipient of Nepal Honor (2001), Bagar Honor etc. He lives with his family in Kathmandu.