Let’s write our destinies on the leaf of desire,
Let’s bring back the dead from the burning pyre.
Why smear some ash, some vermillion on the face,
Why act like mercenary puppets on hire.
Let’s not think for thinking makes it hard to remember,
Let’s forget for once that we created the fire.
Why blow over cinders and feed them with straw,
Why not let it be subsumed in its own mire.
Let’s pour some libations for the spirits, who watch,
Let’s not knowingly get into the gyre.
Why pretend to sleep while dying tonight,
Why fall “Mirage” and pretend to go higher.
Post script: This post/gazal is an appeal to the people of Kandhamal(a small district in Orissa) and Kashmir, where they are killing each other in the name of religion, in the name of God. Do we have a right to take away something that we cannot give to others? It is honour killing. Which honur? Whose honour? The pseudo secularism in India has not failed to bring shame to humanity for so long now. the bloodshed in the name of religion has to be stopped. There is only one religion, the religion of LOVE. How difficult is that to follow?
Secondly, this genre of English Gazal has been inspired by Agha Shahid Ali's innovative use of the Gazal Genre into English.
