Night / ABU KARIM

Out of the roof in the stoop

night is dangling like a sari.

In the stationary shop,village market,

in the graveyard of a saint.

Everywhere there pours down silent night wine.

On the white flowers of pumpkin,on black hair

of Neeta and on the seven by three feet bed in my room

night lying stupor.

In the bathroom like the left away lingerie

night getting soaked under shower.

The dirty jem of the town left on night's heart

as if just now five poets have finished

experimental cohabitation with night.

Moonlight is performing it's concert behind the mountains.

Like a skilled spy night has entered the heart of town.

This night snatches away someone's sleep

and combs affection across someone's hair.

March 10, 1971