Does Suffering Scare Me? Poem by Ramprasad Sen

Does suffering scare me? O Mother,
Let me suffer in this world. Do I require more?
Suffering runs ahead of me and runs after me.
I carry it on my head and set up a stand
In the bazaar to peddle it.
I’m a poison worm, I thrive on poison.
I carry it wherever I go.

Prasad says: Mother, lift off my load.
I need a little rest. It’s amazing!
Others brag about their happiness,
I brag about my suffering.


[Translated by Leonard Nathan and Clinton Seely]