Shakuntala-Ii: Brag Not, Dear Moon! Poem by Pulakkumar Ditti

Blows the wind,
Windows open.
The clear sky
The Moon adorns,
(And) pours its beam,
Calm and serene,
Beams the Earth,
Makes it a drunk.

I stare and stare
At the Queen above the Earth.
Eyes are stuck,
(But) get a nudge
(When) white clouds pass.

Bursts into laughter,
The diamond in the sky.
Her sarcastic whisper:
“Are you in love (with me)
As I am so high”?

(A wry smile plays on my lips)

“O’ revered Queen”, I reply,
“Glitz, glamour, glitter
All you possess.
A scenic wonder, that you are.
Millions go crazy, soon after
You appear.
Libs are replete with
Adulation of yours,
’Coz so reckless a
Temptation you are.

“Yet, I must say,
Far behind you are
When my Shakuntala descends
(What you can do never) .

A blooming rose, indeed,
Dew pearls on petals,
With a beautiful heart
(What you never own)
Pulls me from far,
And endears…aah…!

Gross you are,
Subtle is she.
You light up the world,
She, my heart.
Indulgence you are,
Inspiration is she.
When you brag,
Sublime she remains
And sparks only love.

Suddenly, it’s dark.
Dark clouds pass…
Pass…and pass…
Endless it seems.

Enters Shakuntala,
With a smile on the face,
An earthen lamp in hand.
Glows my hut,
And the heart.