Eve to God

Eve to God

By Kavita Sinha 

(1931-1999)

Translated from Bengali by Mamata Nanada

I was the first

To know that

Rise

Is the reverse of

Fall.

Light 

And 

Dark

Both your deed 

I was the first 

To know.

Conceding in you

Or not

Is the same

I was the first 

To know.

I was the first 

To touch

The tree 

Of wisdom

The first

To bite into

The red apple

I was the first

The first was I.

I was the first 

To hold 

A fig-leaf

Between 

Shame and defiance

As in 

Heaven and hell

I was the first.

I was the first

To know

That 

You appear 

Through

Pain and despair

Amid 

Happiness and pleasure.

I saw you

In a child’s face

Through laughter 

And 

Through tears

I was the first.

I was the first

To see

The beauty of life

In gloom 

And in glee

In virtue 

And in vice.

Luxury

Is a golden shackle

I was the first

To know.

Unlike weak Adam

I was no puppet 

On your string.

I was the first

Rebellion

On your earth

I was the first.

Listen my dear

The slave

I was the first outcast

Banished from

Haven

Expelled

I was the first to know

Above heaven

Greater than 

Paradise

Is humanity

I was the first

To know.