Translated from Bangla by Md. Ziaul Haque.

I go near a tree and utter:
Oh kind tree, can you provide me a poem?
The tree replies, if you can penetrate my bark
And amalgamate with my marrow, then
Perchance you will unearth a poem.

Into the ears of a putrefying wall I murmur:
Oh wall, can you provide me a poem?
The antiquated wall says in a moss-thickened voice,
If you are able to crush yourself into this brick and mortar, then
Perchance you will unearth a poem.

I go near an old man, kneeling down,
Oh aged one would you please provide me a poem?
Tearing apart the curtain of silence the astute voice utters- if
You can carve the wrinkles
Of my face
On yours one, then
Perchance you will unearth a poem.

For a few verses of poetry alone
How long should I kneel down before this tree,
Decrepit wall and the old man?
Tell me, how long?