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old man
can not compete with the young
and life is anyways a race
on a bumpy dusty way
so take it easy
and retire to a rocking chair
on the terrace
and watch little birds
in the tree
spread today's newspaper
in your lap
see the obituaries on page No 2
and thank your Lord
for one more day 

NEW POEMS

I wonder 
what has this ceiling fan
to do in this dark and cold night
day after day night after night
hanging still and waiting
never knowing the cycle of seasons
the advent of warm winds from distant lands
the gathering storms,the turbulence
and the moment of its truth
the gentle push on a switch
*******************
***********************
The man with the lantern 
Turned the corner
Lantern dangling 
Under his cloak 
That was the last 
Any one saw of him
In that dark night

ECHO A TRANSLATION OF A SELECTION OF KASHMIRI RUBAIYAT-E-NAZKI 1999