This Sight

Eyes famously remote, red glaze on toes
Your right hand, on the forefinger a tiny ink stain
From writing a short while back
In the air a sweet scent, the hint of an evening somewhere
Night travels to us from a different country, it will arrive late today
Chin on hand, you sit
In the artist's veins courses excitement, magic burns in his eye
Around us like fireflies, like quick glances the lies that enchant
That there ever was sadness in life I cannot recall
Chin on knees, you sit
Time does not stop I know, one day you and I will pass into it
Time does not relent, one day death will come to take us away
Wishes not granted, small joys, all these will vanish
beyond the horizon
New men will come forth to build a new society
Fresh wind will blow away old sighs
Yet today
This sitting, this hair flowing down your back
Ink stain on a finger

This sight is for ever, with it will join immortality

Chin on knees, you sit...

Sunil Gangapadhya is a leading Bengali poet and novelist. Khademul Islam is literary editor, The Daily Star.