Lifetimes are spent
necks craned back,
the skies and our eyes
reflecting each other,
lost in each other,
an aether with the longing
to be among clouds
dissolved in it
unrequited.

Lifetimes are spent
never learning that
the preamble of longing
is merely imbibed
and utterly
unnecessary.

And with just enough steps,
and just enough sweat,
and just enough hours,
and just enough longings
accepted and forgotten,
clouds will meet eyes
at eye-level.

- Abdullah Alam