[Transcreation] Post-revolution times

Post-revolution times


This title is merely a pointer

to lead you here to understand

post-revolution times

So now let me summarize


The comprehensive history of a revolution

can be slotted in three phases

Since this is important, and fail they will,

to historians, we cannot entrust this task



First, the pre-revolution times


When a feeling creeps in that a revolution is about to happen

It is just around the bend

Leaders convince their followers

In exile and out of it,

they toil to develop martyrs from within the lot

Followers gush with adrenalin pumping in their veins

In the political battle that ensues

dissenting heads and ideologies roll

Catchy revolutionary songs

spread the revolution far across

At the pinnacle of the movement

revolution is unfurled from flag-masts

Exhilarated followers sing in unison



Then, the revolution itself


To understand that they live in revolutionary times,

is not possible for the common folk

Lest they fret at the imminent losses and pitfalls

Intellectuals take on the mantle to explain it to them

The final triumph of a revolution is beautiful, certain

It is for the leaders to convince those

who holds doubts of a revolution’s destiny

Daunting, yet the ultimate duty, I must say

Through speeches and discourses

and if need be, through deeds

duty-bound are the leaders to do so

Our own, if they agree that a revolution is on

much easier would become then, the path ahead




Finally, the post-revolution times


The Revolution has triumphed

and today we have reached-

I say, and friends do lend me your ears

and be attentive-

the post-revolution times

Few may find it hard to believe,

followers may take time to comprehend

Do not lose your patience

for they were all immersed in revolution’s frenzy

If they are slow at it, let them be

They are not accustomed to

workers and leaders leading comfortable lives

Non-believers may increase

Intellectuals may sound dejected

In every polity, they are alike

Bad omens

Let them cringe and bark, but humanity is on an onward surge

To those who made this day happen, my salutations

We succeeded in not letting wealth concentrate in a few hands

What are we to do Mr. Brezhnev, if it now falls into our coffers?




A Malayalam poem by Late Sh. Ayyappa Panicker



Transcreation in English by Vijay © 26th October, 2006