A Courtly Lover's Courtesy

By Yash Abhrankash Panda

"i laugh to myself while i shiver

when a winter breeze comes in gushing

as i open the door for the night's liquor

to hit my chest and send a chill running

through my spine; strange demeanor.

she gave herself away to a homeless poet.

while all she would wish for was her man to return,

this poor moron drowned in a sea of soil.

maybe the soil, brown and black, rich in memories,

insatiable agony and familiar fragrances

seeked me more than the lady for noble felonies,

but my willing yet oblivious deafness still holds chances."

i stopped with the blackest shade of shame on my face.

the fear of losing her was at the peak of my heart's tremor.

i could have made myself the greatest man alive in this age

but for some or other reason i chose to not be clever.

"why? why would you ruin this moment to confess the wrongs

and wrongs and nothing but wrongs you've done with yourself?"

she started hastily confused and went on with word-like thorns

"i have no reason to be with you, breathe with you and share morsels

of any rich or cheap cereal; you're a wretch. you're a coward

and this is suicide. i would have been happy had you denied."

she started crying her nose and throat out while i towered

with an abrupt pride. i held her hand and asked her to rely

on my tongue when i say "i've finally been able to tame myself.

all i wanted was to put this guy safe in your hands

if you could forgive, not forget but accept the license

to shoulder the burden of my past. i promise i'm out of the sand."

we didn't talk for half an hour after which she said "i will. yes.”

By Yash Abhrankash Panda