Perhaps

Adam Ali is a Glaswegian Pakistani-Punjabi poet and short story writer, currently studying at City of Glasgow College. His work explores the intersections of identity, history and inheritance. You can find him on Instagram @adamakhtarali

Perhaps 

Perhaps you will return, The way rain remembers To water a thirsty field. 

Perhaps my name 

Still rests somewhere 

Inside your prayer. 

I have turned waiting, 

Into the doorway of my home, It is open, and a little broken. 

Perhaps love never ends, It only changes its clothes. 

Each evening, I wonder, If we meet again, 

Will we recognise one another? 

Or just smile, and walk past, Like strangers.

Shayad 

Shayad tusi phir aa jao, 

Jiven rehmat di barish 

Pyaasi dharti nu yaad kardi hain. 

Shayad mera naam 

Hale vi chup-chup 

Tuhadi dua’an vich rehnda hove. 

Main intezar nu saja ditta ae 

Apne ghar di dehleez te, 

Darwaza khulla ae, 

Par halka jeha udaas. 

Shayad pyaar kadi khatam nahin hundi, Bas apna libaas badal laindi ae.  

Har shaam main sochda haan, 

Je taqdeer phir mila deve, 

Ki asin ik duje nu mehsoos kar lawange? Ya muskara keh lang jawange, 

Ajnabiyaan vanga.