Daughter + Mother = Carrie + Debbie & "An Account Of Compulsion"

“An Account of Compulsion”

Now you too, with all your promises,

And soothe sayings,

Will keep me thirsting?

Your voice soaked in emotions

Touches my forehead

And the temperatures rise slowly,

Slowly, the rain that is falling and sliding

On and down my body,

This rain, this fire,

Whose chill,

Whose vehemence,

Is still upon your fingertips!

Leaning your head upon my shoulder,

When you’re with closed eyes and in thoughtfulness,

At that moment,

My face is enveloped with

What contentment!

What freshness!

I’m sorry if the rapture in my voice

And on my face

Go unseen by you.

Darling! You may not be aware of certain affections,

In my blood group, these remain “O negative,”

Rare but universally bequeathed.

Parveen Shakir (24 November 1952 - 26 December 1994)

Translated from the Urdu by M.S. Alverston, 02/26/11.