POETS’ CORNER

GHAZALThe ghazal is an ancient and popular structure in Arabic poetry dating back to the seventh century. Its subject matter is usually melancholy, loss, love, and beauty. This is an excerpt from a modern ghazal by the poet Agha Shahid Ali. The second line of each couplet ends with the words “even the rain,” though Shahid Ali clearly plays around with the meaning of these three words together (for example, the third couplet in this excerpt uses the word “even” in a different way than the other two couplets). Each couplet contains its own meaning, yet the way in which Shahid Ali builds the theme from one couplet to the next is masterful.Drought was over. Where was I? Drinks were on the house.For mixers, my love, you’d poured-what?-even the rain. Of this pear-shaped orange’s perfumed twist, I will say:Extract Vermouth from the bergamot, even the rain. How did the Enemy love you-with earth? air? and fire?He held just one thing back till he got even: the rain.The dark rainBy Tabinda Tahir HussainSlouching in the dark rain Round and around the hurricane, A bead of light makes way Entrusting the colors to stay. The amalgamation of yellow into blue All the stories that you thought you knew, Constructing dancing helixes on the wallsAs the high note on the symphony falls. The insipid chalet on the silver beach So very near, still out of reach, The darkness that consumes you, blows into sandSlipping through the cracks in your hand, The dewdrops on the leaves basking in the moonlightReflecting the sparkle in your eyes, so bright. Metamorphose into a hue that’s trueThe storm will fade to let you through,Realize the fire that burns within A new life will thus begin.ConversationsBy Amna AmeerWhere doThe conversations go?Who takes to bed,The silences,That haunt dreams?Who tucks away,The bruises,On our skin?Who keeps secrets,Of your self assault?Every time you walk by,Trying to put back,Broken pieces,Of feelings That once were,The only truth,You knew,Till you, Found a lie,To make your,Sins forgivable,I no longer know,How to erase,The warmth,Of your skin,From my memory,Who takes away?The remnants,Of a dream,After morning,Wakes up,Every reality,Except the part,Of my heart,That’s still dreaming,Of you and me,In a reality,Unknown to time.Black soulBy Ali Asghar GhaniBehinda beautiful piece of writingwe will finda soulteeming withthoughts deeper than the ocean,imagination mightier than the mountains,loneliness fierier than the sun,Andmelancholy denser than the forestsThe wind of heavensBy Tahreem AsgharWith a howl there gathered a crowdA man came home with an open mouthHands were raised and slapped against the chestSomeone’s heart had stopped, someone’s breaths had come to restThe leaves clapped and danced to the ZephyrWelcoming the dead into the heavens While the kinsmen wept howling in woeThe heavens shook with joy; somebody’s eyes will now weep no more But what good has it all brought?Zephyr, the wind of heavens, has since long not blownO Zephyr! Thee the wind of heavensWhy don’t you take the sorrowsAway from my grieving heart?Compiled by SKKindly send your contibutions at: uspoetscorner@gmail.com

from The News International - US http://bit.ly/2toGnXv