The Stargazer

Poetry Shahryar Rana

Yesterday, I walked the deep Stirring the cold waters: home Roaming upon the sand And sand swept upon me See, see how I come From beneath, below, high I wait

Above the deep sends me deeper Steeper, the mounds of sand: rock Lock my limbs in place, stop Drop slowly, slowly below Know, know that I come From beneath, lower, high I wait

The weight above eases, hear Searing into the stone, wind Thinned by the rain, gnawing Thawing this dry glacier Here, here I come From beneath, high I breathe

Am I yet still so far below? Show me sun, light Right! Little suns charge the black Cracks in fresh dark plaster Faster, faster I go Flow from beneath, high I swim

The ground still, the water thin In this strange cold place Pace around its smooth cold floor Shore? Beach? Can’t say Stray, stray further Whether beneath or high I dive

Into the daystar I see, What other explanation could there be Atop this mountain Beneath the sea The clouds