Poem: Soliloquy

By: Shahnaz Nabi

Soliloquy

‘ I am fatigued’
The words catch me unaware
Mortified
No one must overhear
‘I am fatigued’.

‘ Who told you to glance askance at the terrace
With a bitter smile in your eyes
Who told you to cast off the shade
Wrap your self in the sun
Did they tell you
To test the mettle of the thorny briers
Stain the soil with blood from the torn feet
Till the paths glow like lamps.


Was you told to hold your head high
And speak the truth
Fill your mind to the brim with laughter
Weep till your heart breaks
Test each emotion
Scan each affiliation
Weigh the pros and cons of love
Keep your gaze steady
Look the world in the face.

‘I am weary’
The sigh escapes me once again
But even if overheard, would I
Stifle my sigh
The world is more weary than I

Translated By: Krishna Sen