We, Made of Bone

These days, I refuse to let you see me
the way I see myself.

I wake up in the morning not knowing
whether I will make it through the day;

reminding myself of the small, small things
I’ve forgotten to marvel in;

these trees, blood-free and bone-dry
have come to rescue me more than once,

but my saving often requires hiding
yet they stand so tall, so slim and gluttonous

refusing to contain me; even baobab trees
will split open at my command, and

carve out fleshless wombs to welcome me.
I must fall out of love of the world

without me in it, but my loves have
long gone, and left me in a foreign land

where once I was made of bone,
now water, now nothing.

--- Mahtem Shiferraw

I am not done yet

I am not done yet
as possible as yeast
as imminent as bread
a collection of safe habits
a collection of cares
less certain than i seem
more certain than i was
a changed changer
i continue to continue
what i have been
most of my lives is
where i’m going

--- Lucille Clifton

Alif Laila - Title Song Lyrics - Doordarshan

 अलिफ लैला ओ ओ…

अलिफ लैला, अलिफ लैला, अलिफ लैला ओ ओ

अलिफ लैला, अलिफ लैला, अलिफ लैला

हर शब नई कहानी

दिलचस्प है बयानी

सदियाँ गुज़र गयी है

लेकिन न हो पुरानी

परियों को जीत लाये

जीनो को भी हराए

इंसान में वो ताकत

सब पे करे हुकूमत

अलिफ लैला ओ ओ ओ….