[English Ghazal] Despair

In the city of dreams it rains no more
Urchins sing from her lanes no more

Silence breaks when Vultures flap wings
Can hear those lullaby strains no more

The green sheath she wore was shorn, not shed
Parched is her skin, but it pains no more

In her veil are concealed a thousand wounds
She tries breaking the chains no more

A million words that she taught me to speak
This ghazal is for her, with refrains no more

“Mahfuuz”, to fate you too succumbed, it seems
Blood flows but rebels in your veins no more


Vijay © 5th July, 2007