Translated by KhademuJ Islam)

Excuses

Poulumi Sengupta

I'll be serious about work I tell myself No cheating!

On waking up say to the mirror, “Here I am! ’ Though the grumpy mirror will scowl Reflect back at me a maiden

With oiled-up hair and a snub-nose

But I won t care about those things And dive into my work. Household. Baby, office, husband, laundry list. Books, sewing buttons, shoe shine-No shortage of work.

The w hole day will speed by I'll blow off stacks of calories And forget to eat at midday

Evening, stand before that same mirror

Bring out from the bag the work list

Flick off with a finger all laziness, all short-cuts .And then like a flower in full bloom Lift to hold up to the mirror My fistful of robust excuses.

Let's Go, Comrade

Mohor Chattapadhayay

Hey, Comrade? Working too hard? Headache ah, stuff it!

Let's go have some fun. I am free

nowdays. For the time being. Three weeks. Want to go to Joka? Take a shower, slap on some aftershave, get ready. Go ahead take a lick-Capitalist-imperialist, creative artist my arse

so much fandangle on this tiny planet. The outlines of Marxist philosophy you once knew, and then naturally forgot - once we get to Joka I’ll make you go thru them all over again - yes, you! At the end what will you do with influence-power? There is no end to the vileness of kings-queens-ministers. So my chortles, check it out from the corner of your eyes. Then hold my hand and speak up. What you'll say 1 won't coach you. I feel giggles welling up in me. Once we get to Joka I'll laugh so hard that... Anyway, screw all this! Free yourself of all your acres and piles Of land and inheritances; piss on all stupid political games. Prepare yourself. Free for three weeks. You get me?