A Parting

It was no passing encounter on the street, dear friend. It was no momentary conversation on the side-walk. It was no casual handclasp at the sudden close of a trip. You came close to our soul unfolding yourself moment by moment. You came not as a conqueror but as a comrade. With your smile you won our hearts. You did not occupy the throne and become a king You entrenched yourself in our hearts and became a sovereign there. And so you suffered more than us when the time came to say goodbye and depart, Through timeless acquaintance you had become one of our own. Now in our million bleeding hearts you will forever live as a tender grief. I know I'll see you again, dear friend. Ours was no casual meeting on the side-walk. [Translation: Kabir Chowdhury]