Nibha Shah

Mansara

If sweat could change the world

the porter’s world  would’ve

changed so long ago, Mansara.

If spilling blood could change the world

the world of the people would’ve

changed long ago, Mansara.

While, Mansara,

it is through blood and sweat

that the world changes,

why did the world

not change through blood and sweat?

Did you ever hear

fire cracking, Mansara?

It’s the fire speaking, Mansara.

When others light the firewood you’ve splintered

the fire doesn’t become yours, Mansara.

Those without their own fire

don’t have their own light, Mansara.

For those without their light

the world doesn’t change, Mansara.

Ever

did you hear

the fire cracking, Mansara?

It’s the fire speaking, Mansara.

When the field you’ve cleared and plowed

gets registered in another’s name

the soil doesn’t become yours, Mansara.

For those without their own soil

bellies won’t be filled with meal, Mansara.

For those without their bellies filled,

the world doesn’t change, Mansara.

Ever

did you hear

the fire cracking, Mansara?

It’s the fire speaking, Mansara.

When the gun you’re holding

is beholden to another’s command

the regime won’t be yours, Mansara.

The regime not being yours

the world won’t change, Mansara.

Ever

did you hear

the fire cracking, Mansara?

It’s the fire speaking, Mansara.

Listen to the voice of fire, Mansara.

Front cover of the anthology Mansara

Gunpowder

You’re planting flowers, and

you’ll sprinkle water, Mansara.

Fire is what you’re sowing-

Sow gunpowder, Mansara!

Budhani

These days, just these days

the lords-in-red

just come out of the jungle

who’ve entered the city,

who live in palaces, have been exhorting-

Budhani, give birth to Buddha!

Is Budhani a queen

that she will bear Buddha?

Budhani is a slave

Slaves bear Spartacuses

They keep bearing Spartacuses.

Parbati am I

I am Parbati^*

who standing on Shivalinga^**

celebrates women’s festival.

I don’t believe in gods

risen so high

above mortals.

I am a man.

I am Parbati.

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*In Hindu mythology, Parbati, the goddess, is consort to the almighty god of gods, Shiva. She is known for her devotion to her lord Shiva.

**Shivalinga is the paramount totem of worship for the Hindus. It is the figure of Shiva’s phallus and is revered as an emblem of generative power.

Translated from the Nepali by Roshan Koirala.