When they come.

When they come to read our poems;
tell them what has made us a poet,
when they come to listen our songs,
tell them they'll never forget its lines.
We've become, more or less, a slave;
tell them their memories are alive,
And more or less, that we need to say;
ask them to reach our grave someday,
when they come to find their answers,
tell them what has made us this way,
but when they come, whenever it be,
hold them near and let them stay.

We are afraid of separation;
come what may,
but when they come, ask them why -
did we have to feel like a stranger today,
this is life, tell them this,
that we have come into your heart,
only to ask what can take us away -
far into the lands that we may never again
have to burst into tears by what you say.
So, when they come, ask them what -
took them away; so far today.

- Syed Rehan