Anguished Conversation

In loving you so deeply, I forgot how to hate. Now with a chest full of wounds I plead: come back to me this time.
With disheveled hair and smudged kohl, in that faded blue sari, I stand beneath the hijol tree; come back to me.
I remind you of the vow your hands made when they touched mine, that promise. Come back to me.

When you left, the ocean of tears I wept for you—today I hold those same tears in my hands and say: come back to me.
With the ashes of my burning heart cupped in my palms, I say: come back to me.
Return as the wind that enters through the southern window, if you must.
Return as the newly bloomed water lily in the village pond.
Return to look into the eyes of a lover darkened by endless waiting.
Return, if only to give me back to myself again.
Return, if only to bring the kingdom's deepest neglect.
Return to feel the touch of my silent body.
Return once before erasing me from this lifetime.
Return before I die in this plague.
I have things to tell you—return, if only to listen.
I've killed someone by mistake, I'll confess it all; come back to me.
I've become a prostitute again, they come here often; come back to me.
They kill my body countless times each day; come back to me.
Return to watch me writhe in pain, if you must.
Don't come to my funeral—I won't be able to see you there; return before the funeral.
Return before I become mute and deaf.
Return before I run away.
Return before the mad ones chain my feet.
Return before daylight fades.
Return before I fall asleep.
Return before they order my execution.
Return before father disowns me.
Return before my mother dies.

You won't return, perhaps—I know!
Still I beg again and again...come back...come back...come back!
Return to hide all your spoken wounds, to heal your hidden ones.

I promise you, if you return,
I'll keep you, never let you go again!
Even if life itself won't take me then,
I'll still take you, I will, I will!