Three Poems by Sutputra Radheye

1

Signboard

there was a signboard

that asked lovers

to stay away from parks

as it is for children

who will tell

the one behind the sign

that without love

there won’t be children

2

Couple near the sea

i saw a couple

fighting near the sea

the fight slowly

turned into weeping eyes

and then they kissed

fiercely

maybe they were saying

don’t let go so easily

and that kiss

filled their faces

with colours

watching them

i wondered

if faiz was inspired by a kiss

when he said:

gulon mein rang bhare

baad-e-nau-bahaar chale

3

The bookstore

isharoan isharaon mein dil lene wale

bata yeh hunar tune sikha kaha se

this song was on air on the radio

in an old bookstore of old delhi

as between the dust and smell of paper

hamid uncle kept reading sahir

the wry smile on his face, the wrinkles

reminiscent of the kisses he had received

the old pale lips and the eyes moved

in precision as the pages flipped

*