The Bloodied Street

In the street of the city

Another young thinker has died

"May God be glorified!"

The walls of the university

In agony have sighed

"May God be glorified!"

I was one of those fighters

who helped the sun rise

In the middle of the green

Overjoyed with the dreams

Of golden Sonar Bangla

Will be now concretely seen

Many dreams lie bloodied

Many hopes have been belied

"May God be glorified!"

Oh brothers, you have mixed

The blood of Bangabandhu       

In the revered Padma’s flow

Many who laid their youth

Upon the altars of freedom

Still suffer the painful blow

And you continue to machete

More ‘bandhus far and wide

"May God be glorified!"

Return not to the same darkness

Rush not to the same gory night

Lo, in the earth it’s a new morn

With the sunrays on your face

Walk to the future fearlessly

From hill tops blow the liberty horn

Motherland in tears has cried

"May God be glorified!"

Xavier Bage

Sun, April 10, 2016