To Neruda

කපිල කුමාර කාලිංග

2022-March

Neruda ,the poet,
Please give me
Your Burmese mistress
if you think she’s excess .
I will love her my utmost
from the core
of the heart deepest .

You may take
the sack of rice she brought
I want nothing at all.

I will reap the harvest
of her love ,
the love, which terrified
you most.

Please give her tears of sorrow
that flowed beneath her
feet much mellow
I know how to smear
a graceful smile
over her tightened lips
in a while

Neruda ,
give me the panther
which is obsessed with love
and anger

I will take her ashore
and tame with lusty rapture

You may take the Burmese sword
I will take the Burmese brunette .

(Being inspired by Ashoka Handagama’s film ‘Alborada’ )

Translated by
Sunethra Aluthdunne .