FROM THE HUMAN WINDOW

From the human window,
eyes caught sight of a quiet sky
sinking in the dusk.
From the human window,
ears heard a sweet voice
awakened on the coast.
From the human window,
the nose sniffed an aromatic scent
escaping in the breeze.
From the human window,
I witnessed trust
flowing in a stream.

The sky has long lost its deep sleep,
The soil has long lost its hearty laugh,
The human has long lost his pledged promise!

RAJA RAJESWARI SEETHA RAMAN, Malaysia
Translation by Stanley Barkan in cooperation with the author