Deception

Deception
(htin mi hmar)

Early morning
my beloved informed me she's coming
I sat at the window, ornament of my dwelling
putting my hands to the chin and waited.

In my heart
I was anxious empty and exhausted
missing her longing her and tired
liked to weep and wail, but held on
with uncertain expectation.

Summer weather showed
brown golden old leaves
falling to the gentle ground whirling
shuffling shuttling and making noises
like those of my lover's, May's footsteps?

To the road head
turned my neck and looked at
suddenly the green dark woods had
flashed showing the flame tree flowers
bright red and brilliant altogether
clear, clean and shining there
"is it May's silk umbrella?"

Suddenly
dark clouds ran away
dusky blue brown grey colour too
as the sun appeared to brighten hue
"is it May's smile, true?"

Deceived
blurry and unfocused indeed
half giddy and half unconscious
waited weakly wearily and wondrously
but my beloved May was hard to come to me!

Dagon Taryar (Taryar magazine 1949)
Translation Dr Maung Maung Nyo