This Night
N. Revathi Devi (1951-81)
(Translated from Telugu by V. Narayana Rao and A.K. Ramanujan)
-
If this night passes
which does not surrender even tọ
sleeping pills
if this night passes
the night that spreads under my back
like a bed of arrows
for not compromising with man
the night that flows in my veins
like blood from the thorns of the
toddy palm
for not compromising with God
if this night passes
covering a blanket of light
on the face of honesty
another day
another day another night another
day
at some time another night another
day
if honesty stands naked, smooth
not finding light
if that night stands without passing
it will pass, it will move away,
honestly
N.
Revathi Devi's poem “This Night,” translated from Telugu by V. Narayana Rao and
A.K. Ramanujan, captures the intense struggle and inner turmoil of a speaker
who is grappling with unyielding forces, both external and internal. The poem
paints a vivid picture of a night that refuses to be vanquished—a night laden
with suffering and existential questions.
The Night as a Metaphor for Suffering and
Struggle
The
night in the poem functions as a powerful metaphor for the speaker's emotional
and psychological suffering. It is described as being impervious even to
"sleeping pills," indicating that this is no ordinary night but one
filled with deep unrest. The night is personified as a relentless force that
does not "surrender," suggesting that the speaker's pain and turmoil
are beyond the reach of easy remedies or quick fixes.
Conflict with Man and God
The
imagery of the "bed of arrows" that spreads under the speaker's back
for not "compromising with man" evokes a sense of physical and
emotional agony. This suggests that the speaker is enduring this pain as a
consequence of their refusal to conform to societal expectations or norms.
Similarly, the reference to the night flowing in the speaker's veins "like
blood from the thorns of the toddy palm" for not "compromising with
God" points to a spiritual struggle, a resistance against divine or
religious expectations.
The
refusal to compromise with both man and God underscores the speaker's
commitment to honesty and integrity, even at the cost of immense suffering. The
night, therefore, becomes a symbol of the price the speaker pays for staying
true to themselves.
The Hope of Dawn and the Persistence of
Suffering
The
repetition of the phrase "if this night passes" introduces a
conditional hope, a longing for the end of this suffering. The idea of covering
"a blanket of light / on the face of honesty" suggests that the
speaker wishes for honesty to be protected and cherished, possibly in the light
of a new day. However, the poem immediately counters this hope with the
repetition of "another day another night another day," indicating
that the cycle of suffering and struggle is likely to continue.
The
poem's conclusion—"if that night stands without passing / it will pass, it
will move away, honestly"—presents a paradoxical resolution. The night
that refuses to pass may seem eternal, but the speaker holds on to the belief
that it will eventually end, perhaps through the very endurance of honesty
itself. The word "honestly" at the end emphasizes the speaker's
conviction that truth and integrity, though painful, will ultimately prevail.
Conclusion
“This
Night” is a touching exploration of the intersection between personal integrity
and suffering. Through vivid and intense imagery, the poem delves into the pain
of resisting compromise with both societal and divine expectations. The night,
as a metaphor for this struggle, is both unyielding and inescapable, yet the speaker
holds on to a tenuous hope that honesty will ultimately lead to the night’s
passing. The poem, therefore, resonates as a powerful testament to the human
spirit’s resilience in the face of relentless challenges.
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