Beloved

If my sweetheart associates one moment with strangers

It wants but little and I die of jealousy.

She said similing: "I am the lamp of the assembly, O Sa'di,

What is it to me if a moth kills itself?

- Saadi

So much competition to attract your attention, so many suitors madly in love that it causes me grief to know that I am not even a moth - willing to consume myself for the Beloved. Will I ever be known to the Beloved? 
And why should I be known? Not an atoms worth of work have I done, and am pretentious in my love.

But, how do I transform from an ugly caterpillar into a butterfly?

I tell myself that no amount of beseeching will help, no amount of weeping will do. But have I ever really begged? Have I ever shed a tear of anguish?

Perhaps Ghalib was right when he said, "Ishq par zor naheen, hai ye woh aatish Ghalib, k laagaye na laage aur bhujhaye na bhuje".

my poor translation: Love is uncontrollable, it is a fire, Ghalib, that cannot be lit if tried, nor extinguished if tried.

Then what is it - a gift?


- Khaadim