Kinaara

Rohit K. Dasgupta is – amongst many things – a South Asian writer whose free verse poems are serious and dramatically emotional in tone. In contrast, A. S. Handcock is a dedicated advocate of more traditional structured poetry, whose verse reflects his detached British irony. This poem is a result of genuine, experimental collaboration between artistic opposites that fuses together the best parts of both its authors.

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A diamond cold and sparkling night
I’m warmly nestled in your arm
And underneath the moon’s soft light
So safe from harm.

I love the bustling energy,
This city, our canalside walk,
The bikes, the trams, to feel so free,
Our tender talk.

A screeching wakes me with a start.
The car brings black where dream had shone.
In shock I try to find my heart
But you are gone.

Can I still smell you on the air?
Can I still taste my salty man?
Can I still feel your silken hair?
I can’t, but can.

Our bodies went their separate ways.
Between our souls a thousand miles.
But pain is further; pleasure stays…
I feel your smiles.

The memories drift back at last.
Our everlasting love revives.
We danced while Time entwined our past
And future lives.

Each moment passed, the end drew near,
The time when we would have to part.
The end, though sad, required no fear:
This end’s a start.

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