My age has passed thirty-five by a year,
The chemistry of youth has waned in my frame. Once the body could not hold its fire — it overflowed,
Poetry: Life
Poems by Akrom Malik, newest first. Pick one for your mood.
If someone has left you, perhaps to you
Some good has come — so stop burning with grief. But those who left, now rid of you,
I trusted you, but there were doubts within you,
I came to you freely, and your dogs were set loose in your street. It was never in my plans that one day you'd betray me,
We said out loud: let girls be accomplished,
Let them support themselves and never be in need. Let them live free of hardship, merry and carefree,
Hello, little boy! Have you come again?
I know about each time you come to me. Have you understood this truth full well —
The one who stood firm in your lonely days, who showed steadfastness,
Who lit a lamp in your dark nights, who showed the way to salvation — No one is as close as such a friend, no one as dear,
If I had the strength, if I were able,
If I were rare in reason and in wisdom, I would not say a word about my grief and pain,
O jewel of my eye, the axis of my love,
O you of sweet words, you of sweet eyes! May the journey of your life pass safe and sound,
You who looked into my innermost self
Sensed my wretchedness and stayed away. You who grew weary looking at my sorrow
Knowing myself from close up,
I had been bearing it, having no choice. Now whoever comes to me as a friend,
Often I shudder all of a sudden,
A trembling plays through my whole being. The door is knocking — the ill-wisher is knocking,
I had been scattered piece by piece,
And you are gathering me speck by speck. I chewed myself, I ate myself in bits,
Whomever we befriended, we never gave them up,
We always kept faith and loyalty. We never waded into the swamp of betrayal,
If you clasp someone to your bosom as a friend,
And reveal to him your secrets and mysteries — And then destiny makes your foot begin to limp,
They said: “People read your sorrowful poems,
Your enemies rejoice, and your friends are grieved.” I said: “Since he is an enemy, let him rejoice for once,
They said: “Why is all you write pain and parting?
Why can you not keep away from torment?” I said: “I am amazed at my state myself,
The true companion does not hurt hearts,
He never forgets, not for a moment, to have regard for the heart. Indeed, if pain does not make the sufferer share another’s pain,
However much I tried, however I struggled,
To be an absolute victor proved an ordeal. In matters of the heart my affairs did not go well,
Whoever we befriended, we never turned away,
We kept our loyalty and faithfulness for good. We never waded through betrayal’s swampy mire,
However deep in grief you fall, however sad, yet
When you reach your threshold, let your home light up. For the Messenger of Allah prayed:
Today once more I saw the darkness,
Once more a sun of mine has set. Alas, unable to hold on to high resolve,
Many times I turned my face toward you,
Each moment by your side I kept my vigil. My spirit moaned like a wounded bird,
I accept. This is what dying while alive means —
Giving up the soul was full of torment, what can I do?.. My God, let Your servant die without suffering,
To all of you who left us, peace be upon you!
Having left us, may all your sorrows end! If we stood as an obstacle to your happiness,