Yes Sir!

A translation of Laishram Samarendra’s poems in English



Multiplication Table

Suplak (Khul Amagi Wari, Published 1985)
.................................................................................................
In each alley or colony there is a liar;
And four liars are one dealer,
And four dealers or 16 liars are one leader,
And four leaders are one member,
And six members are one minister.

Yes Sir!

Yes Sir! (Mamang Leikai Thambal Satle, 1974)
.................................................................................................
See,
Yes, sir!
If they come and admit it;
Yes, sir!
It must be right on the mark.
Yes, sir!
So,
Yes, sir!
If they come by themselves
Yes, sir!
Sort them out first
Yes, sir!
Those who do not do
Yes, sir!
Those are off the mark
Yes, sir!

Poverty

Lairabagi Waa (Waa Amata Haige Telanga, 1974)
.................................................................................................
Once Poverty visits the Family of the forlorn
Poverty perches and sits by its side
Poverty hands a big stone
‘Hit yourself on your forehead with this stone,’ Poverty utters.
 
The story of Poverty is murky to me
In the still of the night
I go alone
What is to become of the poor family?


Recommended links
A Complete Collected Work of Laishram Samarendra Released on His 87th Birthday - See more at: http://kapilarambam.blogspot.in/2012/07/a-complete-collected-work-of-laishram.html


Download and read one complete dozen of Laishram Samarendra’s poems that have been translated and compiled in a booklet (PDF)! Check the link/article with the option to download the PDF, which is stored on my personal Google Drive. This means it’s completely safe to save it on your device.

The Last Day on Earth in Imphal - Laishram Samarendra (translated by Kapil Arambam)

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