A Soldier from Oman: Indians in Dawn’s Light

From A Man from the Empty Quarter (Beirut 1994) By Saif Al Rahbi (1956- ) This moment rolled upon itself Like ruins of a decayed body, As usual I can’t glance at the morning’s face (It has lagged behind.) Before the window, Out flow Indians Carrying Buddha’s coffin Washed in the Ganga, Waiting like me For another day But with peace and a sacred death. Indians, Strangers, without shadows or faces, The pain of search for bread and song. Soon they’ll rest from the funeral In the neighbouring tavern Where a dancer wriggles, feeding her bosom With an imaginary lover, They dream till the end.