Jahanara's Longing

 The darkness danced in the flickering light, 

The music played as the breeze swept by 

Dancing around was the water in ripples 

And the jasmine cast its aromatic spell.

The moon shone through the clouds that night, 

Upon the walls of the magnificent marble 

Of the golden-roofed palace 

And the red stone fort is in sight.

The Anguri bagh in fresh sown grapes

 The wine cups tinkling, poetry going on till late. 

Somewhere in the distance, the bells rang 

She dipped her quilt in the bottle of ink and began. 

A night of longing and of love, 

Of feelings bound and desires cursed.

Her soul was restless in search of her heart, 

She placed the quill on paper

But didn't know where to start.

The ink blotted the scented papers blue, 

Her words were scattered across the sky 

Like the veil of stars shimmering bright.

Had her heart travelled far across the land, 

Rode on a horseback into his desert homeland?

Followed his soul across the rough terrain 

Into the forests of the Aravallis again?

Did he carry her pearls close to his heart, 

Or leave it behind in a box, carelessly scattered?

Answers she sought to questions never asked

Only if her mind was as brave as her heart.

The quilt was wet, but with teardrops and muffled screams

The ink lay forgotten, just like her dreams.

The first ray of the sun touched the Taj in crimson red,

Reminding her of vermillion and blood,

One for life, another for death 

One that took him away, 

Another that cursed her to stay.

~ Suranya



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