I think of your doe-eyes, I remember your burning lips;

I dream of the rose garden, where we first stole a kiss:

My heart starts to beat faster; my skin begins to glow,

Bloods rushes through my veins, turbulent its flow…

I imagine your silken touch, your breath upon my breath,

Fragrant as the flower, of the first flush of youth;

You whisper songs of love tender in my ear,

The warmth of your breath, you seem so near…

And far away somewhere, in that chilly land

You must think of me - so l like to understand:

Tears glistening bright, at the corner of my eyes

Reflect your sweet sorrow too; I’d like to surmise…

My heart misses a beat, your voice melodious sweet

Rings into the labyrinths, of my memory indiscreet;

Sweet sorrow of separation, gnaws gently at my heart

And plucks at the strings of the lyre in every part …

Blood oozes gently, drip by drip, my soul is inundate

With the river of memories- ere warm ere sedate:

Spirit rises high; heart sinks low, blood mellow flows

My lonely heart is filled with light of your glow…

Author: Zoya Zaidi

Aligarh (UP), India

Copyright ©: Zoya Zaidi

05.02.2010; 7am

Image: Calligraphy of Urdu couplet of Faiz by and©: Zoya Zaidi:

Jab chaaha kar liya hai, kunj-e-qafas baharaaN'

                                                    Faiz Ahmad Faiz

Which would loosely translate as:

"I think of those doe-eyes, I talk of those fragrant gardens,

When ever I want, I summon spring, to the dark corner of my prison' 

                                                           Trans-creation by ©: Zoya Zaidi