Shah Abdullah Alamee

Walk the market place in chains

Your monsoon eyes. Your impatient life
is not enough.
The allegation of love suppressed
is not enough.
Today, you must walk the market place
in chains.
Walk,
with palms open before you.
Walk,
with your head caked in dust.
Walk,
with shirtsleeves seeped in blood.
Whirl,
in frenzied throes of ecstasy!
Walk on,
the beloved city yearns for you.
The keeper of the city,
the common rabble,
finger-pointing barbs,
hurled stones of abuse,
the first light of frustration,
the failed day-
who else remains
their soul mate? Only us.
Who,
in your beloved city is without sin?
Who commands
the right to handle the executioner’s axe?

O wounded heart,
get your things together
and walk on!
Walk on, friends!
We’ll meet our end
soon enough.

Translation and Transliteration © Mustansir Dalvi, 2012 All rights reserved.