THE LIGHT OF THE PRISON

Even darkness fears  
To step into this prison.  
But, whom to fear?  
The sentry  
or the sleepless prisoners?  

The sound of the tired feet  
Of the sentry  
Lapses into the throb  
Of the prisoners' hearts.  
The iron-bars,  
Trembling with human breath,  
Terror-stricken,  
Concede their defeat.  

The dark shadows  
Of the prison cells  
Turn into a chiaroscuro  
In the sharp emanation of light.  
The earth under the sentry's feet  
slips away.  

The bird-of-light,  
Flying out of the prisoner's heart  
Watches from the sky  
How the underground saplings  
Break the rocks open  
And lift up in speed  
Towards light.  
  

Translation :
Jibon Krishna Banerjee