The Broken Latch

(Image Source: http://sadiakhanainy.blogspot.se/2014/02/tooti-hui-kundi.html)

"close the door"
he had said, once
before walking across the dusty pavements
"until I return
and I would knock
a farewell till then"

tracing the steps, yet failure to hold

those winds of north

that depart with you

closed door - 

oblivious to footprints

sounds soft and subtle

a music to my soul

locking his promises

in the warm precinct of hope

I kissed, caressed and loved

syllables and letters

under my cotton pillow

as the warm salty streams

burn my wishes within

forty two winters pass

whistling with the wind

as I sit alone, stitching the skin that threatenes to fall apart

now, or tomorrow

curtains torn and tattered

clock, ticking, weary with age

a bed bent not by weight but by wait

walls painted in damp

sulking

grey strands of hair

streaming across my gaze, hazy

utensils burnt with hunger

attention is what they crave

my fingers shudder, shake and cry

breath, now shallow, and deep

gulping the loneliness that stares at me

mercy dripping, nectar

or perhaps, poison

faith, stagnant through years

and the broken latch

open door - can you hear his footsteps?

oh how cruelly you absorb the music of his arrival

why shouldn't I avenge the reason of my survival

in your absence

I search for presence

the broken latch

the open door

I peep outside

eyes glittering like stars

is that you, my love

the answer that I burnt over the years

or is it, just again

the knock of this cruel cold wintry wind

mocking at my dismay

and my fatigued grey

This is another attempt of mine to translate anotherbeautiful Urdu poem written by the very versatile blogger, writer and poet, Sadia Khan. You can read her original composition in the link below:

http://sadiakhanainy.blogspot.se/2014/02/tooti-hui-kundi.html

Eagerly waiting for feedback from all of you.

This Poem is shared with Imaginary Garden - Open Link Monday.