Thursday, July 10, 2008

Parting

When you stood outside the temple
looking towards the beloved's house,
why did the deity bless you?

When you left the city
without meeting the beloved,
how come your eyes were dry?

Your strings are softer than ash,
Be still, my friend, when it rains within,
let the water wash the ash away.

This is what the deity told me to tell you,
when you stood outside the temple,
looking towards the beloved's house.

1 comment:

David Raphael Israel said...

I like this, Manju. (Haven't seen a poem quite like it in English. Should be pleased to see more in this vein.) Very delicate, with the strings & ash . . .

cheers,
d.i.