Confession of Non-Melancholy

 
Before I loved you, I never knew
this earth held heaven within its fold.
When you leave, paint a kiss upon my forehead…
I feel heaven is here—in this courtyard of my heart!


Before I loved you, it never occurred to me
that blue sky could be touched at will!
When I bury my face in your broad chest and breathe you in,
I feel I'm climbing cloud-stairs, swallowing the heart of the sky!


Before I loved you, who could have known
such watercolors could be painted on mountain slopes!
Lower your lips to the root of my ear and whisper 'I love you'…
I feel the evening's parting has left the mountain's twilight chin
standing still at the door of my lips.


Before I loved you, who understood
that moon could be captured and boxed away!
Reach out hungrily with both arms and wrap me tight
against your broad chest…
I feel the moonlit orb in night's womb
has become the white sheet of my bed!


Before I loved you, I never imagined
how easily sindoor could be painted in light's flash upon pearl!
Entwine hand with hand and pull me closer with sudden force…
I feel like a child's bubbling laughter echoing
through a pearl palace courtyard in the oyster's embrace.


Before I loved you, I had never seen
how a home could be built on coral islands
with the sound of water-anklets.
When you make love with glances cast in waves from your eyes,
I feel the tide of a wishful river
at the blue meadow in the corner of these eyes.


Before I loved you, it never entered my mind
that even that proud mountain could be placed underfoot
and effortlessly ground to dust!
When you paint lines of joy with a hint of smile
on your sun-blazing elongated lips,
I feel that mountain's entire body
lies in the blue key of my door.


After loving you, I have learned
one can be born a thousand times even after birth!


After loving you, I have learned
love alone is the only renewable joy and comfort on this earth!


After loving you, I have learned
love alone draws heaven to this world with profound tenderness!


After loving you, I have learned
you are the single home of all my seven lifetimes' virtue!