Something needs to be done 

Basudev Sunani

Translated by Sailen Routray

A digitally altered image of the UNEFA building in Caracas, Venezuela
https://commons.wikimedia.org/Wilfredor

Today,

something needs to be done.

The preparations have eaten into 

the biggest chunk of the time.

Today 

something needs to be done.

In the meanwhile,

the stones of quite a few curses 

have regained life, and thus mobility.

Many uncertain birds have lost their shells.

And hems of countless sarees have gotten torn.

But still,

all the sorrows 

could not be fed to the tigers.

And still,

all the disillusionment 

could not be buried under the beach. 

In this gloomy sultriness,

have I been able to get morsels

for the drowsing sparrows?

Have I been able to ride

the horse of my will?

Enough is enough!

It’s time to unravel

the smouldering secrets of the forest,

and it’s the time to dispel 

the dejection of the sky.

Whenever I feel like beginning,

that, is the auspicious moment.

and, that is the time to unshackle 

the old silences of indecisiveness.

Translator's Note: Basudev Sunani (b. 1962) is one of the foremost poetic voices of his generation in Odia literature. He has a body of prose in the form of novels, monographs and essays in the language as well.