According to ancient Arabic literature, love has seven stages. ( As perfectly portrayed in the Bollywood movie, Dil Se...)
Here are seven ghazals describing each stage.
1.
Hub (Attraction)
He see her across the room, and wonders who she is, this swathe of ocean spray,
This marvel of grace, with magic stitched in, as bubbly as ocean spray,
Her mysterious eyes pull you in, with dreams shining within, like sparkling ocean spray,
He watches her and hopes to God that she stays, unlike ocean spray.
2.
Uns (Infatuation)
He dresses up impeccably, for he wants her to notice him,
He smooths out his rough edges, for he wants her to notice him,
He makes excuses to talk to her, for he wants her to notice him,
He's kinder, softer, more perceptive, for he wants her to notice him.
3.
Ishq (Love)
Secret smiles, jewel bright eyes, honey glazed voices, how did this happen?
Their hearts in harmony, resonating together, but how did this happen?
Flowers bloom for them, songs sung for them, but how did this happen?
They are so deeply in love, but he wonders, how did this happen?
4.
Aqeedat (Trust)
She's silent today, perhaps angry, but yet he knows she loves him,
She talks a lot to her male best friend, but yet he knows she loves him,
She disappears for hours on end, (because she has a life too) but yet he knows she loves him,
Just as she knows that he loves her, he knows that she loves him.
5.
Ibadat (Worship)
He gives her space and quiet time, because she's his goddess and deserves it,
He accepts with grace her Golden dreams, because she's his goddess and deserves it,
He respects her flawed choices, Her options, because she's his goddess and deserves it,
He reciprocates her reverence to him, because she's his goddess and deserves it.
6.
Junoon (Obsession)
There's a clear blue sky in glory, he wonders what she would say if she was here,
A favourite song playing on the radio, he wonders what she would say if she was here,
Whenever he feels a prick of pain in this hurtful world, he wonders what she would say if she were here,
Every waking second, every dream he wonders what she would say if she were here.
7.
Maut (Death)
Death of ego, death of vanity, and he's reborn a better person,
She didn't charge him, he changed himself for her, reborn a better person,
His insecurities, his immaturity, dies any, he's reborn a better person,
And just like her rebirth after falling for him, he's reborn a better person.
Playlist for the poem
Dil Se Re... By AR Rahman from the movie, Dil Se...
Note: The last stage actually means the death of the lover itself, ( Guess I gave you a spoiler about what happens to the lovers in Dil Se..) but then the poem would turn into a morbid tragedy. Hence, the modification.
Thank you for reading!!
YOU ARE READING
NEPENTHE
PoetryHi there! The word NEPENTHE means anything that induces forgetfulness of sorrow or pain. I, for one, believe that little things like smiles, my mother's comfort food and long walks are the best forms of nepenthe around. These poems celebrate the s...
