Inner Encouragement 04 Poem by Ahmad Shiddiqi

many times I knocked the gate
just freeze in the night
fear in snake's twist
a grain of dust crawling slowly

many times I waved my hand
burned by passionate celebration
beating up the eastern horizon
old horn started singing hoarse tone

many times I fingered the dusty book
that distance is only a thin silk
shall the cursed one missed prayers?
many times and many times

many times I sacrificed black dahlia to her
smiles, tears, of all true life!
rise as kindred spirit, sink as lost soul
many times and many times