Short Poems

The universe may
be as great as they say.
But it wouldn't be missed
if it didn't exist.

Not very anxious
to bloom,
my plum tree.


Translated by Robert Hass

Not to be born 'twere best,
Nor view the light of the sun;
Since to be ever blest
Is given to none:
And Fate deals out his share,
To each alike, of pain and care.

Not stopping to mark the trail,
let me push even deeper
into the mountain!
Perhaps there's a place
where bad news can never reach me!

Not speaking of the way,
Not thinking of what comes after,
Not questioning name or fame,
Here, loving love,
You and I look at each other.

Not quite dark yet
and the stars shining
above the withered fields.


Translated by Robert Hass

Not Marke, but Mercurie keepes her warme,
And Neptune hugs her in his arme
Infertill, fertile of all good things,
Her Lord her seruant her children kings.

Not knowing
it's a tub they're in
the fish cooling at the gate.


Translated by Robert Hass

একদিন দুপুর-রোদ্দুরে তুমি নিয়ে এলে একখণ্ড নীল-
তোমার সূতির শাড়ি, সমুদ্রের সাথে যার অনিবার্য মিল;
আয়োজনে সে যেমন ঘিরে আছে পৃথিবীকে, শাড়িও তোমাকে
জীবনের বিপুল রহস্যগুলো সমুদ্রই চুরি করে রাখে।

THESE palms weave shadows of delight,
But the truant heart flies forth
To birch-boles glistening more than white
In the forests of the North.