Hieroglyph Poem by Joy Goswami

Dead peacock in the dream
The moonlight fell upon his body

Cactus in the veranda
Room besides the roof

Dried-up old birds
Pierced by a skewer

In their voice
The hissing wind

The dead peacock is standing
In his body the firefly glittering

Moon is hanging on chain
Black pendulum

The slanting tree besides
Melting wooden house

Dead peacock in the dream
His clear eyes open

[Translated by the author and Skye Lavin]