To be able
Just to be
Present
With
Without
Want
Of
Possession.
Is it possible?
This nothing?
Is that the space
Of not
That space?
That refuge?
Is it possible?
This nothing?
Where nothing, is.
After journeys of
Need,
Want,
Loss.
This addition
Of shedding is
Nothing.
The place arrived.
Build me a space where the walls hold up the sky.
Where the ceiling allows in
The moon and his daughters:
The star at dusk and dawn’s star.
Where there is room for thought to settle in and scatter on
The citrus and jasmine scented breeze
From the courtyard.
There, in the shade of the trees, a water pool
Harvests the rain, and reflects the promise of fruits in blossom above
And sounds of sparrows mingle
With the rustling of the leaves.
By Maniza Naqvi