Secretly

A sniper was around.
I did not want to rush
and kiss the jessamine.

Last night, it was a
retributory offer
to put off the candle.

I am here to stay
for prudence, speaking
the dialect of the nameless.

I survive the fetishes
of light. O unknown, I
live in darkness.

Moon was my solemn-
pledge. I had always stayed
in the house of truth.

Satish Verma