Three Line Wonders

I Hoofmarks will fade; A blowing wind will Inherit the earth. II Peace numbs the land, While dawn fights the shadows Of gravestones. III The Sun checks in, And the Moon departs. Everyone is in the Cosmic Hotel. IV I miss your touch. Road signs are more confusing, In dreams. V Rains fall down On hopes. Roads, never-ending. VI Sometimes graves inspire Monuments, follies. Clouds leave no trace. VII The sea always comes back To the peak. Only pens run out of space. VIII There will be pain Where she is drifting. In the uncertain mist. IX Hope and heartache Following one another. Still limping through. X Heads remain bowed In prayer. Predator time stalks. XI Raindrops down the window pane. I refuse to be strong Before friends. XII A piece of earth Without concrete Hard legacies to come by. XIII It is in pigments and inks, and empty spaces asking where is the soul gone. XIV She stopped him in his track, Broad back hunched. She kept looking across the water.

[AFTAB AHMAD is a bi-lingual poet and essayist from Bangladesh. A career public servant he began his professional life as a journalist, teacher and broadcaster. He has two collection of verses and a co-written verse drama in Bangla. His collection of English poem is awaiting publication later in the year.]