Banalata Sen - Translation From Bengali Poem

This is a translation of the famous Bengali Poem " Banalata Sen". The author is the renowned poet of India - Jibanananda Das (1899 - 1954). This is considered to be one of the greatest poems of Bengali Literature. I wandered for thousands of years on the paths of the world, from the seas of Ceylon to the oceans of Malaya, through the darkness of nights, I have travelled so much; in the distant grey world of Bimbisar and Ashoka - I was there; still farther in the darkness of the city of Bidarva; I am a weary soul, amid the wild foamy seas of life; Banalata Sen of Natore bestowed me some peace for a few moments. her hair reminds the dark nights of the long-lost Bidisha, her face the fine carvings of Srabasti; in the farthest corner of the sea, the sailor whose sail is broken, and who has lost directions, when he spots a green, grassy island with cinnamon, I sighted her the same way; she said, "Where have you been for so long? " raising her eyes, like a bird's nest, Banalata Sen of Natore. evening dawns like the sound of dews, the eagle wipes out the smell of sun from its wings, all the colours of the world fade, I write the manuscript of the story, the scintillating fireflies shine bright, all birds return to their nests ~ all rivers meet their ends ~ all borrowings and lendings of life are complete, nothing remains but the darkness, and Banalata Sen sitting across me face to face. Translated by : Malabika Ray Choudhury