Haldhar Nag, "Regard for Soil" (poem in translation)
Translated by Surendra Nath
Hirakud dam is completed, full will be the reservoir;
On Mahanadi banks all villages will soon go underwater.
The Government has announced, "Your homes now abandon;
Those who don't leave now, in the water they will drown.
"The Government will pay later, for your land and homestead;
With your families and belongings, without delay vacate."
With fear for their lives people in all directions fled;
In forests and hills, they lived and slept upon leaves spread.
Pitapali villagers had left, but some were still lingering;
At the village entrance, they were conferring.
Dulna, the lone, scruffy old woman, with a load on her head,
Came out of the village and was scurrying away with speed.
The path of the woman, some naughty boys obstructed.
"What items have you stolen from the houses deserted?"
Dulna said, "I have not picked up anyone's belonging;
This soil of my seven generations I could not bear leaving."
The boys said, "You ragged old woman, how do we trust you?
You're waiting for this chance, where people kept gold you knew."
"Let's see," demanded they and pulled her bundle down;
It got ripped and lumps of mud scattered on the ground.
Children burst out laughing, "Old woman has gone senile
Take back all your wealth, on the road it is lying."
The old woman Dulna gathered the mud, and said crying,
"Real wealth is the soil of my birthplace I am carrying.
Where I die, this soil should be poured on that place,
Old Dulna's soul will then rest in peace.