Parween Shakir
SIX POEMS
Translated by C. M. Nairn
A SIMPLE REQUEST
I know the duties of a hostess, lord, but let it be that this year either the rainclouds visit my house or my loneliness I
OBSTINATE
Why should I be the first to phone?
After all, he knows it too,
Last night was the first monsoon.
TO A FRIEND
Listen, girl! These moments are clouds:
you let them pass and they're gone.
Drink in their moist touch. Be drenched.
Don't leave a drop. Listen,
downpours don't remember roads
and sunshine hours can't read road-signs.
SOMETHING TO REMEMBER
Will you too be like the others:
set yesterday's twilight against this bright today? Well . . . please yourself. That's all right. They also claim the sun sleeps with night.
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