Under The Shamiana Of My Eye Lashes Poem by RAJ NANDY

UNDER THE SHAMIANA* OF MY
EYE LASHES!

O my love, please do not insist on leaving
me tonight,
Instead, keep sitting under the shadows of
my collyrium-laden eye lashes;
Where you shall find peace comfort and
solace!
Please do not insist on leaving again, nor
be adamant;
Sit under the sprawling shamiana* of my
gazzle-like eye lashes,
Which I have spread beside the oasis of my
two brimming eyes, -
Whose bottomless depths reflect my love
for you always!
For here you may bathe to get refreshed,
And sip your sweet vine sitting by my side!
But do not insist on leaving me behind,
To remain alone in the silence of the night!

My love, let us sit and relish these few ephemeral
measured moments,
Granted to us by the munificence of merciless
time!
For once gone, these moments shall return
no more!
Whisper softly into my ears those sweet words
of love;
Saying all the while how you love me,
And cannot live without me, even though
it be against your will!
And transform this into a magical, mystical
night!
For even a falsehood spoken convincingly,
And repeated like a sweet refrain, again and
again,
Assumes the color of truth, I heard people say!
But your words shall make this lovelorn life of
mine worthwhile;
And all my efforts to possess you for the night, -
Shall not go in vain!

-Raj Nandy
New Delhi
05 May 08
(* Shamiana = like a tent or canopy cover)