Winter—Inam Hussain Begg Mullick

 Winter

1.

The sky is a falcon's signature.

A golden seraphim dances 

on the rims of winter.

The sparrows are chirping.

The guitar of ribs is strummed

by revolutionary fingers.

I hear children's laughter coming from the sun's kitchen.

2.

The night's palms are tinted with mehendi,

the caravans answer the call of stars within my bones.

A nightmare catches fire and melts.

The saint clutches a burning prayer.

Winter, stay.

3.

There is a war in the garden of black roses.

The raven roams the viscous alleys

of death.

Lunar radio,

where shall I find love?

I burn, I burn but I do not stop singing.

I burn but I do not stop praying.

Some day my loneliness will end.