Lonesome Street Poem by Mahmoodul Haque Sayed

(Winner of the Plowman 1994 Poetry Award)

When I walk by myself in lonesome street
and everything is still. I feel someone is following me
I feel someone is walking behind

Curiously turn about, look forward
I can't see what I'm missing, turn again
find out nothing but surely I'm missing something

Suddenly I'm startled now
it seems all lights of the town have gone out
but I don't know really how it happens

Conscience commences from naught
although I have my own eyes
I feel I'm completely blind

Searching myself continuously in spite of that.
Oh my Lord, kindly let me open the eyes;
eyes of my own mind and thoughts