The Moon / Abu Karim

You were sitting in darkness

under an oleander tree.

I was behind clouds

from where I have oozed down

on the loose end of your sari

as if piece of the moon.

You have set a trap

to catch me;

I am supplanted in front of you.

Moonlight keeps its touch

on your bosom.

You are dragging me up like a big fish

with the trap of mundane net.

Every pore of your skin smears nectar of the moon.

Between you and me the moon is dangling

from a woody oleander branch.

10 June 2002

[Translated by Dulal Al Monsur]