by Saad Sultan
For my mouth being long by silence tied
I would in unquestioning blindness blame
My guiltless eyes, for in your heart they spied
No flicker breath’s blow could kindle aflame.
I feared fanning friendship to give love life,
Might end in extinguishing both their lights
Love’s tender womb, turn too soon to its tomb.
But! when ending with time is all life’s fate
Why prefer long, to happy, ending soon?
And if fortune would that I never taste
Love reciprocated, I should more fear
A life protracted, than a death that’s near
Yet I ink this hoping— not in despair—
That what I write, your heart, like Henna can wear.
1 Comment
December 30, 2008 at 12:26 am
Why like ‘henna’ that fades away? Are we promoting transience or is it another aspect of Henna that is being highlighted here that I am unaware of . Pardon my ignorance if the question offends…