Poem

TIGER, 5

A huge and lovely tractor
was standing in a field
After running all day
it was so exhausted
that it was just standing there
being neither big nor small now
by the measure of its own shadow

The red rays of the setting sun
were sifting through the thorns of a tall acacia
and falling straight upon its engine

And because he can be present anywhere
the tiger at this hour was in a field of sugarcane
observing the whole scene

When he couldn’t contain himself any more
he roared from that spot –
‘How wonderful!’

The tractor seemed to him
like a single gigantic grain
lying in the greenery

A solid shiny ripe red grain
which made the tiger think, This will be fun –
because as it always happens an old woman will soon arrive in this place
will pick up the grain
and place it in her little bag
will take it home
and put it to cook
in her small dark simmering pot

Then with a great suppressed desire
he looked over the whole tractor very carefully
from top to bottom
and turned red
of his own accord
with the wish to be cooked
in an old woman’s small steaming pot!


translated by Vinay Dharwadker
original title: 'TIGER, 5'




« back to the poet

---