Dear Saqi Poem by Mushtaque B Barq

Saqi

Tell me O Saqi! Dear Saqi
"Springs where this awareness from"
"Pratyaksa is the source", he whispered.

Tell me O Saqi! Dear Saqi
"Is perception, the only authority? "
He dropped his head and said,
"What senses perceive nay, non- existent".

Tell me O Saqi! Dear Saqi
"What elements maketh me? "
Nothing he spoke, raised his goblet high
Copious with ‘fluid' of colours four
"Earth, Water, Air and Fire", murmured he.

Tell me O Saqi! Dear Saqi
"Why then exists mundane matter"
Coiled his carcass, what crescent at forehead!
Like long month's fasting announcing Eid
Cheers his goblet with that of mine
"Matter secretes mind as liver, bile", stated he.

Tell me O Saqi! Dear Saqi
"No more", he warned
My goblet dropped unwillingly
"Avagraha, knowledge produced from sense organs,
Iha- approval from soul qualities visible,
Avaya- a definite knowledge of object
Dharand- an impression on mind of an object through knowledge", clued-up he.

Tell me O Saqi! Dear Saqi
"Who shall this cup mine fill? "
Playfully he said, "Love is the deadliest secret of the sweetest wine"
No more I could ask
For "Love" in my goblet deprived of fire, I felt
Ashamed of my flaws, drooped my neck
Like a goblet left on the table after a hectic drink
Oscillating back and forth amid dead of night.