It was not the distance but the direction
That kept me from you
Searching through cosmic marvels
Within each duality
Though I did hear your call
And I know you heard mine
Why else would I be drawn towards you?
Irresistible, though the magnetic pull was no more than zero
(and no less)
Spinning through void within void
Where energy is enslaved by vibration
(and also conceived)
I uttered the name of your sound
The separation between you and I was devoid of space
Even time did not dare
All I had to do was wait
If only I knew how…
***
Last Sunday, I met Shirish ji and found out that he paints as a hobby. Exactly one week later, early this morning, I messaged him to ask if I could see his paintings and perhaps use them as inspiration for my poetry. As I was falling asleep (for a very rare lie-in), some words came to me and I quickly jotted them down. I woke much later in the morning to find Shirish ji had messaged me and sent me some of his beautiful paintings under the series Pratiksha – Waiting. The poem I had jotted down was also about “waiting”! And yet I do not believe in coincidences! What do you think?
Many thanks to Shirish Pandit for the kind permission to use his painting for my poetry. Please do watch this space for more of his work.
SONYA KASSAM 
Reblogged this on Collecting Reality.
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yeh na thi hamari qismat k visaal e yaar hota
agar aur jeete rahte yeh hi intezar hota.
(I waited for the moment of meeting with you but it was not to be. Had I lived longer I would still be waiting).
(Ghalib, from his death bed)
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That verse fits in so well and lends its grace, thank you :)
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…It’s called the Synchronicity of the Universe!
I absolutely loved your opening of direction, not distance keeping you away and then the later line of separation sans space. Well done again, S!
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Ah, well it must be real enough if it has a name! :)
Thanks, Kunal…those were my favourite parts too.
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The poem and the painting – both are marvelous
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Thank you, so glad you appreciated them both.
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Dear Sonya,
Thank you for sharing Shirish ji’s lovely painting and your wonderful poetry.
Waiting…there is so much weight in that meaning.
All good wishes,
robert
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The weight of waiting…I love that :) Thanks, Robert.
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Your poem is beautiful. The word pratiksha, which is a Hindi word, is also used in Bengali but the pronunciation is slightly different. We say protikkha, meaning (to wait).
The painting is awesome. :)
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Thank you for sharing the Bengali word Protikkha, I have learnt something new. I’m pleased that you enjoyed my poem, and I agree the painting is really awesome.
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Lovely poem and beautiful Painting! Looks like you were made for each other!!
Providential!
Dwight
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Well, certainly the poem and painting were made for each other…providential…perhaps! Thanks, Dwight.
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