POTTER: HINDI POEM BY PROMILA BHARDWAJ: ENGLISH VERSION BY RAJNI CHHABRA

 POTTER

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What sort of  clay

Those moulds, those colors,

Those pulsating sounds,

Life-nurturing herbs,

With which are moulded countless

Individuals, birds and animals, moths

Ants, aquatic animals, chirpers,

Rivers, streams, vegetation

Thickets-orchids, clouds, sky,

Diverse varieties

Nothing is identical. 

Distinct in itself,

Variety of shapes, of different kinds.

Countenance is unique

Complexion, features, sound

All shapes are different,

Planets, constellations, the Moon, the Sun, stars

All are unique 

For creating variety of 

Distinct creations, 

How do you manage material--

Where from you fetch--

Mottoed, bright 

Clay and efficiency

We are not able to create dito

Even a statue of clay,

Nor even a flawless painting,

Each and every object of nature/ creation,

Diverse creatures, 

Fetch us a glimpse only,

Of that great, refined craftsmanship,

Limitless vigour and capability,

Endless,  beyond imagination is

That manufacturer, that Creator,

Predominance that is apparent

Seems like a drop in ocean. 

We all perform, what He makes us perform

We all see, what He makes us see

He endows us with vision

He is the Creator of this Universe

 Puppets-like

Countless creatures are 

Created at His will

Dance to his tunes

But where is He, how does He look-like--

That juggler, our potter

Where is that construction site

Wherefrom has been fetched 

Variety of clay

Those moulds, those colors

Those pulsating sounds

Those life-nurturing herbs.

English transversion of a Hindi Poem

By Rajni Chhabra