Marriage: A moment of happiness

It’s been quite a while since I last wrote, my first cousin’s wedding kept me busy past weeks. This wedding has brought me to the terms that family is imperative in social well-being of an individual. Being bohemian and free spirited has always inspired and defined me but this time I felt something different, I felt good in being bounded.  Anyways, it’s about the wedding.  The big ‘W’ has always jittered me for obvious reasons.  Brave cousin of mine!!. But this is amazing, a woman leaves her home, her family, her things, even city and job (in my cousin’s case) for one man.  And this is not done out of force or moral duty but love for one man.  I dedicate this lovely and touching poem by Rumi (a sufi saint/poet) to my newly wedded cousin and brother-in-law and wish them a wonderful life ahead.

A moment of happiness,

you and I
sitting on the verandah,
apparently two,
but one in soul,
you and I.

We feel the flowing water of life here,
you and I,
with the garden’s beauty
and the birds singing.

The stars will be watching us,
and we will show them
what it is to be a thin crescent moon.

You and I unselfed,
will be together,
indifferent to idle speculation,
you and I.

The parrots of heaven will be cracking sugar
as we laugh together,
you and I.

In one form upon this earth,
and in another form
in a timeless sweet land.

A Separation…

While you were sleeping,

I shushed,

And tossed around,

My eyes wide awake,

Stared darkness,

With me were the echoes,

Of your heavy breath,

You snored,

At the noises I made,

I sat, stood and laid again,

Gazing through the hole of the ring,

I recollected,

Times when we were awake,

We talked,

Laughed incessantly,

Tonight was not the same,

Loud silence,

And a deep chasm,

Nothing we could say,

Counting sleepless nights,

I remained awake,

I sighed,

Watching the glimmering sun,

I rose,

And cluttered my bag,

Leaving the things we shared,

I wiped tears,

At the door, I stand,

Paused, don’t know why,

And drifted morosely,

In your solemn sleep.