THE
CIRCLE
- K. Satchidanandan (India)
Joy is a narrow space
between two sorrows.
A space lit by the morning sun
where a sunflower is in bloom
amidst fresh blades of
grass,
that two people can hardly occupy,
and may be a pale butterfly too.
You can dance there with
movements and gestures
possible in that narrow space.
And sing in a low voice.
Can even laugh mildly
tickling the baby -sunlight.
But there is little time.
You know it too.
The sun will soon grow harsh,
sorrows will squeeze you from both sides.
You may even get trapped there
Never able to get out.
When the whole body bleeds,
you may suspect that joy is but a snare.
It’s not all wrong, but
you were able to see
the flower, and dance.
But, pain, it is eternal.
and its space, infinite.
Like the abyss that
once trapped the earth.
You will have to leave the earth
to see there are stars even there.
Who knows, your soul
may fly cross many light-years
to land in a star.
It will get a new body there.
Then you will know,
joy is but a narrow space
between two sorrows.
****