When I come to you, I become a tree 
Trees have roots 
Trees have dreams under their barks, on green leaves 
–So have I
I stand alone on my feet like a tree 
I keep standing…  
Just when I come to you, 
Innumerable roots emerge from my two feet
They push through the soil deep inside like perfect earthworms
I forget my past movement 
I forget my habit of a busy day's brisk walking 
When I come to you all my twenty fingers hold a lot of green 
Your touch gives me fresh protein 
Your easy companionship supplies pure calcium   
And I virtually turn into a tree 
Like a tree my sight's branches bear innumerable flowers 
Bakul, sheuli, jui, hasnahena.
On the shithan of a light
On the turn of side-pillow 
Into the folds of ten fingers
I turn into a tree.
When I come to you
Innumerable roots emerge from my two feet
All my strength to move even an inch goes in exile  
I become a tree in body and mind. 

Translated by Md. Abu Zafor

Faruk Mahmud is a contemporary Bangladeshi poet. He has published more than a dozen volumes of poetry so far. His last volume of poetry Andhakarer Utsho Hote Utsharito Alo (Kobi Prokashoni) came out in 2023.    

Md. Abu Zafor is Professor, Department of English, Jagannath University.