WHO AM I? Trans-creation of DR.ZULFI SHIEKH's ME KON [Marathi poem] into English

WHO AM I?

Trans-creation of DR.ZULFI SHIEKH's ME KON [Marathi poem] into English 

DR.ZULFI SHIEKH  is an eminent Marathi poet,translator ,writer and

administrator known for her indomitable spirit and a fierce feminist ideology. She is

considered to be the leading feminist voice of the Vidharbha(Maharastra), as one of

the most significant pillars of modern Marathi feminist poetry. Her outspoken and

controversial style of writing made her the passionate voice for the unheard, and she

has become an inspiration for the younger generation of poets,writers, readers and

intellectuals.

WHO AM  I?

 

                                                                                 

 

Who am I?

Am I a fatal paradox?

Who am I?

Am I lonesome mossy ruins,

or a cursed wall?

Who am I?

Line of control-LOC.

Who am I?

Am I the boundary line-

Cursed to confront

The complete annihilation of posterity

Who am I?

In whose blood should I trace my lineage?

'Who am I, Jinnah?Your selfish heir?

Who am I?

Am I a Shiya,a Sunni,a Hindu,a Christian,

Or a non-Muslim--

A bloodless lump of flesh

Or a wounded stone?

Who am I?

Am I  Grace's  'Fulbania'

Or  the revolutionary seeds in Bagul’s children

Who am I?

Am I  the wood-cutter mother of Nimbalkar,

Or the tri -colour of the Allahuddin’s poem?

Who am I?

 Javed Pasha’s handicapped orphans –

victims of communal riots?

Yield not to my confused nerves

Pious- sinful ,pure-impure

Hind-Sindh

who am I?

Am I partition????

Clowns have  baptised me .

They have done plastic surgery

Altered  my identity

By calling me a spiteful concubine

And tatooed ' partition' on my forehead--

Thats why

My love,my Bharat ,

While mothering you

I will sing a lullaby

Don’t even flutter your eyelashes

Take care of your jasmine- heart

It’s soft like Balkavi’s 'Fulrani'.

India,my darling--

Saga of unsung heroes—

Identifying  you as Chakradhara

I ‘ll glorify your deeds

Even though the scars of 14^th August 1947

And 15^th August

Engraved on my forehead!

I would like to come out from this whirlpool

Of sheer negligence

And be a sought after…

I would like to be a piece of alum on a very hot plate

Showing direction to the confused minds…

Who am I ?

Am I the best golden-creation of Shiva ;

That’s why, I cry

Who am I ?

Baby or clone-baby!

I ‘ll tell you who am I –

I am princess who has carved a niche!

Designed the destiny

Path-maker

A baby,a princess

Come my love!

Let  us change the conventional destiny

With our love

Our amity

With the power of authority,

Together we ‘ll enjoy the fame ,

name and glory ,

today and tomorrow!

@Chandrashekhar B.Sharma[ALL RIGHTS RESERVED]