Tuesday 18 December 2007

I look at you in the aftermath of smoky blue nights,
When the dancing's been done
And the wineglasses are quiet,
Touching the wet air, cold in my palms,
While you pull your solitude round your shoulders.

I'll look away till you're finished,
Till you say it's alright.

I'll count the glowing embers in the shadow at your feet,
And the cicadas still calling even though day is near,
And all the 'what if's in my fickle memory.
And I'll bet you'd never know I was here.

I'll come back on my own when the lights begin to fade;
You'll sit out the evening in solemn company,
Burning an anguish I never could see
In pools of echoing sympathy
And the early mockers' seranade.

Content with the new riddle you've made,
You'll look up to greet the day drawing near,
And, just my luck, in that triumphant blaze,
You'll never have to guess I was here.


7 comments:

Anonymous said...

I managed to wander across your blog. You, dear, are a wonderful poet. I love the way you string words together, like rich, rich wine drunk with emotion. Some of your poetry is incredibly beautiful.

I am a stranger, and I'm sorry if I was being intrusive,
But I couldn't help but speak. :)
Keep writing.

Shalmi said...

thank you. a lot. the compliment intensifies coming from a stranger. and i'd like to add your blog too, if you have one, to mine. until then.. :)

Anonymous said...

*nods* My blog's here. *waves goodbye*

Shalmi said...

dear alaka,
your blog reminds me of one of those books i immediately like and become curious about just by reading the bit on the back cover. your poetry specially is promising and i would love to read more. i had such a time trying to post a comment on your blog. livejournal still refuses to accept my openid url, so being technologically handicapped as i am, i'm afraid i have to post to you on my own blog, how shameful.. but anyway, i'd love to talk to you more often. with lots of love, from one bangali to another,
shalmi.

Anonymous said...

Don't worry about it. I didn't have commenting enabled for non-LJ users. But it's fixed now, so you should have trouble anymore. :)

Oh, and thank-you. It'd be lovely to talk to you more often as well.

With Lotsa Love,
Alaka

Anonymous said...

Here's to the next big feminist/mystic/confused thing in the world of poetry. Your ability to string together words and write about absolutely nothing while moulding it into something is quite evident.
By the way, you might want to sample this:
I met a girl who sang the blues and I asked her for some happy news,
but she just smiled and turned away;
and everyday I hope and pray that I might say,
something to her so that she could stay;
But I guess she has other things to do,
so she can't stay and see,
how much I love her and how much she means to me.

Sujoy.

Shalmi said...

:)