Mansara | Nibha Shah

- Nibha Shah

If only the cascade of sweat changed the world,

The life of the porter would change then

 

If only it was the bloodshed;

The world of peasants would change, Dear Mansara!

 

O, Dear!

The gore and sweat change the world.

However, the world unchanged they,

Why has it unchanged, Mansara?

Have you ever heard the roaring fire, Mansara?

 

The log you cleave

While others set them fire on,

You won't access your fire, Mansara!

The fireless you, the light won't be yours,

The lightless won't have her world changed, Mansara!

Have you ever heard the roaring fire, Mansara?

The fire is yet enouncing, Mansara!

 

The swidden land you yield in

While registered in another's name

You won't hold your soil, Mansara!

The soilless you, deprive the gutful grains

The deprived won't have her world changed, Mansara!

Have you ever heard the roaring fire, Mansara?

The fire is yet enouncing, Mansara!

 

The firearm you wield,

While the other command

The sovereignty cannot be yours,

The subservient won't have her world changed, Mansara!

Have you ever heard the roaring fire, Mansara?

The fire is yet enouncing, Mansara!

Heed to the voice of fire, Mansara!

 

Translated from the Nepali by Hem Bishwakarma

First published in Offline Thinker on Oct 8, 2023.