You always were a knowledge well.
But now, there’s arrogance as well.
Forgotten all our youthful years?
Except that only day of tears?
In arguments, we so differed,
A hooded serpent’s hiss was heard
In every poisoned, angry phrase –
A million bruises on each face.
Your eyes and mine were flowing streams –
Too far to touch, on two extremes.
Two roads diverged within a wink
And turned mascara into ink.
Admitted, we were children still.
Too raw of heart, too full of will.
But now, at least, we’ve ripened, no?
Seen thousand turmoils come and go.
No longer of this rancour, please.
Let’s call a truce and make some peace.
These moody airs are not enough?
You want to pile more of this stuff?
If still you cannot move ahead,
I bow to offer you my head.
Be quick, be just with your decree.
Condemn me now, or set me free.
Translated from my Hindi poem, पुनः मिलन
puna: milan
main jānā thā tum gyānī ho.
ab lagtā he abhimānī ho.
bhulāke sāre yovan varsh
smaraN he keval ek diwas?
jab tark tark mein Fark uthā,
Teke FaNā ek sarp uthā,
Visheile shabd aur krodh kaTHor
the koTī koTī kshat donon or.
the CHal CHal donon ke nayan
par CHūne kā na kiyā chayan.
kaTke us din do rāh chale
karke kājal ko syāh chale.
mānā us din hum bacche the,
nadān, hridaya ke kacche the.
par ab to pak ke gal chuke.
deKH hazār halchal chuke.
kab tak jalein abhimān mein?
ā milein sulah sandhān mein.
kyā kam hein ab tak naKHre sab
ki jodoge usmein tum ab?
gar dvesh abhī bhī he prakhar
lo jhuktā hūn nat ke main sar.
bas jaldi se insāf karo –
ya dedo danD, ya māf karo.
Minakhi Misra 