There is something about poetry and its life affirming meaning. Some are sad but it awakes us as a human or a citizen. Some are satirical but pinch us a little. I myself, have written few poems and most of them are sad and provide a specific lesson or knowledge. What is it with sadness and poetry? they always seem to go hand in hand. Anyways, they are a great source to open our mind to the world.
Recently, I got my hand around in "Ghumne Mech Mathi Andho Manche" or a literal translation "Blind man on a revolving chair," by Bhupi Sherchan. This outstanding poetry collection was rewarded "Sajha Puraskar" in 1969 AD (2026 BS). Since I was a little boy, I had heard the name of this prolific literary person. When I was in school I had read a poem he wrote about our beloved martyrs, where he described gracefully that; with the sacrifice of stars a beautiful morning arrives, similarly a nation will be built when few grandson will sacrifice their life for country. Throughout the book, Mr. Sherchan describes Nepal, Nepalese people, Nepalese places, Nepalese people's carelessness and disregard of the bold history.
Inside the first poem in his book, "Mero Chowk", a paragraph goes,
"In my place, god made people and people made god,
they both reside,
but they both are sad
because for people they are troubled at night by upiya
and in the afternoon they are troubled by money
and for god, they are sad because no one worships them."
The brilliance of this paragraph is beyond believable. Throughout my reading journey I wondered how can one write such profound thoughts with the language yet so simple. My favorite poem in this book is titled "My past dreams" and it goes,
" Pressed under a heavy truck a young man dies
looking at his palm hand, he had a long life
just like my past unfulfilled dreams."
My favorite paragraph in all literature. We have heard Leonardo Da Vinci, a famous personality who invented self portrait, in this book by Bhupi Sherchan, I found a poem self portrait which is absolutely unique. It goes like this,
"Bhupi" Sherchan
"Writes something
looks at it
does not fulfill expectations
and crosses it
writes again
looks at it again
breathes a long breath
what a pity, poor thing
"Bhupi" Sherchan!
This is a self portrait poetry, where he portrays about himself. He calls it a satirical self portrait. Such is the brilliance of this man. This is what poetry should be like. Pure and aching, perfect and sad. "Ghumne Mech Mathi Andho Manche" is a must read for every literature lover out there.
Let me close out with the last poem in his book, it is titled "My Friends"
"My friends get angry whenever I drink, I tell them
try to drink once, to drink is more difficult
those who became martyrs,
try to live once, living is more difficult."
Thank You so much Mr. Bhupi Sherchan for all the profoundly meaningful poems.
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