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| Ri Hossain |
Truck-Sale
A truck with diverse hungers in tow,
Outside the Pentagon, Birmingham Palace's row,
Red Square, Shitamachi, Gulshan's wide array,
Hunger for sale, at prices to sway.
Behind the truck, a long line takes its form,
Elon Musk, Gautam Adani, Obama, a storm,
A fierce clash erupts, over line's rightful place,
Putin and Xi Jinping, in a heated chase.
A step behind, Modi, Hasina's hand in hold,
World leaders rush in, stories untold,
Emmanuel Macron, Trump, Shinzo Abe's spirit near,
All drawn to this scene, banishing all fear.
The UN Secretary-General, in sheer dismay,
Questions the legality of this truck-sale's way...
*** "In many developing countries, 'Truck-Sales' are a real-world method of distributing essential goods, often food, to people in need. These sales use trucks to reach areas where traditional stores are scarce or where people have limited access to affordable supplies. They're a vital way to provide crucial support to vulnerable populations."
*** "In this poem, 'Truck-Sale' is not a literal sale, but a symbolic event. It represents a chaotic, almost absurd, marketplace where world leaders and powerful figures line up to satisfy their 'hungers' – not just for food, but for power, wealth, and influence. The 'truck' becomes a vehicle for delivering these desires, highlighting the desperate, universal pursuit of fulfillment."
At the End of All Hate
However much you plan to hate,
A part of you, please regulate,
Don't let your power to love abate.
For it could be, at hate's last end,
No birth, no judgment, no life to transcend,
No time remains, no worlds extend,
Maybe love for me, your sole defend.
Claim
Into the refuse, I was thrown,
And like the crows, alone,
The mango tree, a shelter made,
Where storm's scent in buds was laid,
That language, first I learned to know,
The storm, my friend, began to grow.
One afternoon, from that wrecked place,
The mango village, I did trace,
Far away, by rivers' side,
Gomati, Titas, where they glide,
At Gokarna Ghat, I found my stand,
Where kiln's form, near, did expand,
Ashoka's pillar, tales it told,
Of stories, ethics, brave and bold.
Who gave my hunger, then, its fill,
With spicy rice and fish, until,
Human rights, they seized my core,
To be born human, I implore,
My only claim, forevermore.
Ri Hossain is a prominent and passionate voice in Bengali poetry, recognized as a rebellious and resilient figure in the literary landscape. His poetry reflects personal experiences, societal conflicts, and deep social injustices, making him a significant commentator on contemporary issues.
**Early Life and Writing Beginnings**
Born on August 19, in 1981 (though some debate exists regarding the exact year), in New Senpur, Rangpur District, Ri Hossain grew up in a complex social environment marked by injustice and inequality. His father's ancestral home is in the village of Mosadgaon, Louhajong, Munshiganj. These early experiences of oppression and marginalization profoundly influenced his poetic voice.
Hossain began his literary journey in 1993 with the publication of his first poem, "Ei Borshay," in a local newspaper called *Juger Alo*. Over the years, he established himself within the literary community, addressing themes of social inequality, the suffering of the oppressed, and the tyranny of authoritarian regimes.
**Protest and Rebellion in Poetry**
Ri Hossain's poetry serves as a potent form of resistance. His work, particularly during the protests against quotas and inequality in July-August 2024, resonated deeply with the movements of the time. His poetry collection, *Kobitar Abhyutthan Chai* (I Demand a Uprising of Poetry), played a crucial role in the activism of 2024, especially the poem "Bidrohe" (In Rebellion), which inspired many and highlighted the plight of martyr Abu Sayeed.
He actively participated in these movements, often preparing for protests with meticulous care, sharing important information with his wife in case of his demise. His poems, such as "Amake Shoke Dhoreche" (Grief Has Taken Hold of Me), "Bivartan" (Evolution), and "Jhapata Batasher Gaan" (The Song of the Blustering Wind), capture the themes of grief, struggle, and the desire for change, portraying vivid imagery of both natural and social revolutions.
**Literature and Life Philosophy**
Ri Hossain views his writing as vital as air, intended not just for personal enjoyment but to raise societal awareness. In 2014, due to his rebellious writings, he faced pressure from the National Security Intelligence (NSI) and had to submit a written apology. Despite such challenges, he remained undeterred, continuing to explore deep themes of death, grief, and the essence of life in his essays and poems.
In June 2024, two of his poems, "Kapurusher Ma" (Mother of the Coward) and "Durbritto" (Ruffian), drew threats due to their anti-India sentiments. Nevertheless, he persisted in his literary pursuits, emphasizing that his life, like his writings, is intertwined with political and social contexts.
**Conclusion**
Ri Hossain is a poet of struggle, whose work awakens the human spirit and exposes societal inconsistencies, injustices, and disparities. His life exemplifies a commitment to society and a courageous stance against oppression. Through his poetry, themes of grief, protest, love, and deep social responsibility resonate powerfully, making him an essential voice in contemporary Bengali literature.
