@ Gazing Stillness Poem by Sadiqullah Khan

From left to right, up and down,
Gazing stillness of three glasses, small
Accompanying a windblown green flask,
A cat frozen to eternal sleep, with a Buddha smile.
Those two tables have lived a life with me,
May I thank, with gratitude. I am humble before
Their lean legs, nailed, like a Jesus’, and tied,
In my service. They have a Bokhara motif, made of cane.
Sometimes, I am horrified. They may over live me.
My breathing suddenly coming to a still.
A basket made of straw, wearing a white cap, which once
I had been wearing on a funeral. It is like, the magic cap
It hides me. Ah! My shoes. Eating dust, saving me
As many times I wanted my soles to get soiled with mud.
They wait for me, always ready, worn and tired.
And when I polish them, hug them, they smile at me.
For hours, I had been watching Casper, playing
On the Turkmen rug, woven knot by knot,
By whom? I do not know. I at times, pick a song,
A particle of dust and may be sweat, from the inner,
Spaces colored with dried pomegranates.
The light is entering from the windows, through a gauze.
It is afternoon. A sparrow, looking for a safe place
For her nest. Let go! Let happen. A roaring volcano
Just passed by my side, and it did not, wake me up.
There is no need of lining your life, on a shelf.
Whether lived or un-lived, known or un-known.
Anybody’s judgment, a hallow hope,
On the edge of fear, all is immaterial.