A poem by a Bengali school teacher
Through the jongole I am went
On shooting Tiger I am bentBoshtaard Tiger has eaten wife
No doubt I will avenge poor darling’s lifeToo much quiet, snakes and leeches
But I not fear these sons of beechesHearing loud noise I am jumping with start
But noise is coming from damn fool’s heartTaking care not to be fright
I am clutching rifle tight with eye to sightShould Tiger come I will shoot and fall him down
Then like hero return to native townThen through trees I am espying one cave
I am telling self – “Bannerjee be brave”I am now proceeding with too much care
From far I smell this Tiger’s lairMy leg shaking, sweat coming, I start pray
I think I will shoot Tiger some other dayTurning round I am going to flee
But Tiger giving bloody roar spotting BengaleeHe bounding from cave like footballer Pele
I run shouting “Kali Ma tumi kothay gele “Through the jongole I am running
With Tiger on my tail closer loomingI am a telling that never in life
I will take risk again for my damn fool wife !!!!!
June 11, 2008