THE DESTINY
CHALAM
in the pale light
of the lamp
like tiny waves
trembling
around the lotus
your tresses dance
to the soft breeze...
your hands
restless
encircle me
silently flashing
the pointed nails
like
thousand moons swaying
in the dark waters
to the beat of the oar...
your voluptuous lips
curve and play games
like
the lean shadows
stretching out
at sunset...
I
strive
but I know
I
can never reach you
and my fragile wings
can only caress
the fringes
of your shadow...
while
you glow
so beautiful
so mysterious
I
am
just a moth
hovering
for the end!
–Translated
from Telugu by Vazir Rahman