**the Bazaar* Poem by Sadiqullah Khan

The night was too dark
Some howling owls in the bushes
I raised my hands with eyes open
To wrap the black into my lap
I saw the dust flying in particles
So many candles were lit to celebrate

There was a humming sound of silence
Whispering was as if lips did not speak
In many places the damp like white
Of milk in almonds for the drink
My touch had the silkiness of linen
Slipped like playing love magic
The abundance of red and green
Though on the grey was like flowers

What I missed in thousand years
I read every page of history in those eyes
On the corner the sweets in glasses served
The lusciousness was visible from afar
Mixed in the air was the depth in color

I stood for a while to look back
For a while to the doors and corners
In the very narrow street of the bazaar
Only to adore the black eyed beauties
Chewing some white cheese served
On the green leaf of the tree wherefrom

Nay nay
I shall come here again to see its splendor
15/7/2009

*Sadar bazaar in Peshawar