The Closet

Amei, yanglu! Avã rãrãdalei
Nawui unra chi ina singmiga.
Closet chili ngasamunglu kala khalaowa phahon chi sanglu.
Ā zatkahai’na ina khanishi saimeida sãzaga.

Amei, morchaili khikha mateikãfalu!
Aja ngayã ãwo shili zãra.
Avana ãshi naongalãva zakmai khamathã hãngchingli
Chivãng ãli yangkhaninglu
Ina ãshi yãron khamathã chi nawuivãng khuimiga.

Amei, yanglu! Ava rãrãdalei
Ali mamayaluila kalã rangayot chi phalathailu.
Closet chili ngasamunglu kala pheihop chi tonglu.
A zatkahai’na ina khanishi saimeikha sãzaga.

Hei Amei, ili mashãdalei?
Avana nawui leikashiva shim thãnkhaung theingaidalei.
Nawui leikashiya mayar mathãya kaji ina kathãda hãngra?
Avãna yãronphãda closet kahaiya maphãmana ji,
Na phãya kaji ina ãli kathãda hãngra?

Amei, na shim hankhaung ngavãralã

Brother, look! Father’s coming.
Let me hold your earring.
Run back to the closet and wear the loose jacket,
I will tap twice when he is gone.

Brother, don’t draw your lips yet!
We have to dine at uncle’s tonight.
Mother keeps nagging how pretty his daughter is
So, pretend to look at her
While I catch his pretty son for you.

Brother, look! Mother’s coming.
Stop kissing him, and flip the mirror.
Run back to the closet and wear the boots.
I will tap twice when she is gone.

Hello brother, can you hear me?
Mother wants to know if you are bringing home your girl.
How do I tell her your boyfriend is handsome?
Father says big boys with closets are bad,
How do I tell him you are good?

Brother, will you ever come home?

Translated by the poet.