CORONA SAYS POEM
Poem Nepali Translation
रोउन छोड,
ए यार,
मलाई गाली गर्न बन्द गर्नुहोस्
र सुन्नुहोस्।
म यहाँ आएको हैन
मेरो आफ्नै स्वतन्त्र इच्छाको।
मलाई निम्तो थियो।
मलाई विश्वास गर्नुहोस्,
मसँग विकल्प थिएन
तर तिमीलाई भेट्न।
कति ज्यान गुमाए
मेरो कारणले ?
तपाईं गणना गर्नुहोस्।
तर के तपाईंले कहिल्यै गणना गर्नुभएको छ
अहिलेसम्म कतिको ज्यान गइसकेको छ
तिम्रो र तिम्रो युद्धको कारणले?
तपाई आफैंलाई फोन गर्नुहोस्
‘सृष्टिको मुकुट’।
अरुको के कुरा,
आकाशमा उड्नेहरु,
समुन्द्रमा बस्नेहरु,
धर्तीमा घस्रनेहरु,
र ती, तपाइँको अक्सिजन को स्रोत?
तिमीलाई लाग्छ कि तिनीहरू सबै तिम्रो दास हुन्
कसलाई बेच्न वा मार्न सक्नुहुन्छ
तिम्रो इच्छामा।
मलाई दोष नदिनुहोस्।
म तिमीलाई देखाउन चाहन्छु
निलो आकाश कति सफा देखिन्छ
धुलो र धुवाँ बिना।
म तिमीलाई बुझाउन चाहन्छु
पिंजरामा बाँधिएका जनावरहरूलाई कस्तो लाग्छ
चिडियाखानामा।
म आएँ
तपाईलाई परीक्षा दिनको लागि होइन।
म आएँ
त्यसैले त्यो माता पृथ्वी
अलिकति आराम गर्न पाइयो ।
तिमीलाई सबै थाहा छ भनी दाबी गर्छौ।
म तिमीले आफैलाई चिन्न चाहन्छु
पृथ्वी तपाईको एक्लो सम्पत्ति होइन –
यो तपाईको जति हाम्रो हो।
अवश्य,
म एक दिन जान्छु।
तर याद गर्नुहोस्
म जस्तै अरु धेरै छन् ।
उनीहरु पनि आउनेछन् ।
यदि तिमीले आफ्नो बढेको अहंकारबाट मुक्त हुन सकेनौ भने,
तपाईं आफ्नो गुफा समयमा फर्कनुहुनेछ
जुन तिमीले सह्यौ
लामो, l o n g, l o n g पहिले …
विष्णु एस राई
POEM SUMMARY
The poem “Corona Says” is written by a Nepali poet Vishnu S. Rai who was educated in India, Nepal and UK. He is a retired professor of TU who taught English Language Education. In this poem the poet has taught about a pandemic (Covid-19) which has its devastating impact on human life.
This poem is written about the current issue of the Corona world crisis and its devastating impact on human life. This is a subtle satire about human behavior and attitudes. This poem considers Covid-19 as a by-product of human treatment of nature.
Understanding the text
Answer the following questions.
a. Who is the speaker in the poem?
Answer :- The speaker in the poem is Corona virus.
b. Who claim that they are superior to all?
Answer :- Humans claim they are superior to all.
c. Why has the speaker come to the Earth?
Answer :- The speaker has come to the Earth because it was invited by human actions, such as wars and environmental destruction, not by its own choice.
d. What positive changes have occurred on Earth after the speaker’s visit?
Answer :- the speaker’s visit, positive changes like clearer skies and a cleaner environment have occurred as a result of reduced human activity during lockdowns.
Reference to the context
a. What does the speaker mean when he says:
But have you ever counted
How many have died so far
Because of you and your wars?
Answer :- When the speaker says, “But have you ever counted how many have died so far because of you and your wars?” it is pointing out that while humans focus on the deaths caused by the virus, they often overlook the countless lives lost due to their own actions, such as wars and violence. The speaker is reminding humans that they have caused significant harm and loss of life through their conflicts, much more than what the virus has caused.
b. Explain the following:
I will depart one day.
But remember
There’re many others like me.
They’ll come too.
If you don’t get rid of your inflated ego,
You’ll be back to your cave time
That you endured
Long, l o n g, l o n g ago …
Answer :- In these lines, the virus says it will eventually leave but warns that more crises will come if humans don’t change their arrogant attitudes. The “inflated ego” refers to humanity’s belief that they are superior and can control nature without consequences. The virus is warning that unless people become more humble and responsible towards the environment, they could face even worse disasters in the future. If humans don’t learn from their mistakes, they might be forced to return to a primitive way of living, similar to ancient times when they lived in caves. The message is that humanity’s future depends on how they treat the planet and the life it supports.
c. What does the speaker mean in the following lines? Explain.
The earth is not your property alone –
It’s as much ours as yours.
Answer :- In these lines, the speaker means that the Earth doesn’t belong solely to humans. Instead, it is shared by all living beings, including animals, plants, and other creatures. The speaker is reminding humans that they are not the only inhabitants of the planet and that other forms of life also have a right to exist and thrive. The line emphasizes the idea of shared responsibility and respect for the environment, suggesting that humans need to recognize and honor their role as one part of a larger ecological system, rather than viewing themselves as the sole owners or controllers of the Earth.
Reference beyond the text
a. What human behaviours are responsible for the suffering in people’s lives?
Answer :- Human suffering often results from harmful behaviors. War and conflict cause death, displacement, and trauma. Environmental damage from pollution and deforestation harms both nature and human health. Economic inequality keeps many people in poverty and limits their access to basic needs. Discrimination and prejudice, such as racism and sexism, create unfair barriers and suffering. Exploitation in labor and trade leads to poor conditions and abuse. Ignoring mental health issues leaves people without necessary support. These problems are connected, making suffering worse and affecting many lives.
b. How does an epidemic differ from pandemic? Briefly explain the impact of Corona Virus on human life and environment.
Answer :- An epidemic is when a disease spreads quickly in a specific area or community, while a pandemic is when a disease spreads across many countries or the whole world. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on human life, causing millions of deaths and straining healthcare systems. It has also led to job losses and increased mental health issues due to isolation. For the environment, the pandemic briefly reduced pollution and improved air quality because fewer people were traveling and industries were less active. However, there are concerns about increased waste from masks and other protective gear.
