In memory of Agha Shahid Ali
When a poet leaves to see to all that matters,
nothing has changed. In treasured places still
he clears his head and writes.
None of his joie-de-vivre or books or friends
or ecstasies go with him to the piece
he waits for and begins,
nor is he here in this. The only work
that bonds us separates us for all time.
We feel it in a handshake,
a hug that isn't ours to end. When a verse
has done its work, it tells us there'll be one day
nothing but the verse,
and it tells us this the way a mother might
inform her son so gently of a matter
he goes his way delighted.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Writing good poems requires high degree of concentration and as such no ecstasies go with a poet to the piece he waits for and begins. Indeed powerful poems as great works of art outlives their authors and treasured pieces echo onto humanity even when their writers suns are set. A well articulated piece of poetry insightfully penned with conviction. A good one indeed. Thanks for sharing. Please read my poem MANDELA - THE IMMORTAL ICON.