To Collapse

 -Krishna Bishwakarma

Translated from the Nepali by Hem Bishwakarma

 

To collapse is—

Not merely to be perish or spoiled

Neither is merely to seem
hideous

 

You see,

After the buds collapse

How beautiful every flower wears

 

To collapse is also to augment—

From the obliteration!

 

As after the cruel palace is
collapsed

Glees spread all over the ruled shanties

 

As after the old trees

That boasts 'They are the tall'

Collapse,

Then, the bushes disregards

Guileful notion of being tall or
short!

 

As after the arrogance of racism
collapsed

Anyone reflects as the Buddha!

 

I used to think that

I would be just a ruin if
collapsed!

I would be a pond of tear if
collapsed!

 

O, Higer Castes!

With your discrimination

I am collapsed to rise 'a fire-bloom'.