Poetry

Debdutta Dhar
A very interesting incident occurred a few days ago. Searching for a book in the college library, I chanced upon a lovers quarrel being conducted behind a bookshelf. I was just about to beat a hasty retreat when something in the boys tone arrested my attention. His words resonated with a deep sense of longing and hurt. The girl in contrast was cold and in my own opinion cruel. My curiosity piqued, I shamelessly eavesdropped on the entire conversation. Not the moral thing to do I know, but the encounter was astonishingly rich in emotion. The boy kept quoting lines from some Hindi Ghazhal and his tone was truly desperate. By the time they left I had completely forgotten about the book and instead wrote down the following verses. The poem is not entirely of my own creation, the structure is based on the aforementioned Hindi Ghazal, but I have twisted words here and there and built the rhythm in English.

Having willingly given away ones heart to another, why should songs of lament be sung? When there's no heart left in the rib cage, why should the mouth have a tongue?

She will not cease to be arrogant, why should I lose my pride? With bowed head must I ask,'Why me do you so much deride?'

Its my friend and consoler who's let me down, such love I'd gladly burn, One who has no strength to share my sorrow, shouldn't I her friendship spurn?

What kind of loyalty whereof this love? Its my own head I have to break Then O stone-hearted one, why at your threshold must I smash it for your sake?

You are free to say I have no place in your heart, but tell me why When you and only you live in my heart, you are hidden from my eye?