‘Nuptial Evening’ by Yousuf bin Mohammad

This eve set as elegant exhibit
of skin deep beauty for old yearning stares,
is time’s harsh labor’s brief retreat.

The hands, henna-designed, serpentine snares
to trap young wild and restless hearts
which feed on dreams sojourned in eyes,
more fleeting than the flashing camera lights.

Midst this confused unrest two heart realize
a single dream conceived at birth of souls
and planted in a part in both the hearts
when heart became the shelter of the soul;
this eve they hold it fast firm not to part.

In this wild glare of confused evanescence
These flickering moons bear hopes of permanence.

Yousuf bin Mohammad is a resident of Delhi, where he works as digitization assistant with Juma al Majid Center for Culture and Heritage while pursuing physics by distance.