In this city, alas, I hear no more nursery rhymes
In this city, floods do not come even during rains
In this city, none goes to river holding pitcher at her waist
In this city, no boats sail to distant market place.
In this city, no breeze plays over wavy paddy fields
In this city, none finds woodland green with trees
In this city, none runs to gather mangoes in nor’wester.
In this city, no dove coos on quiet lazy noons
In this city, city crickets do not sing at the stillness of deep night
In this city, blood streams by everyoften
In this city, army camps are set up at every street corner.
Translated by Siddidue Mahmudur Rahman