When I want a shapeful dream - Balkrishna Sama

When I want a shapeful dream I write poetry,

And when I want a dreamlike shape I paint;

When I want you to speak to me I write poetry,

And when I want you to smile with me I paint;

When I want to cry for you I write poetry,

And when I want you to weep for me I paint

When I want to touch your heart I write poetry

And when I want to catch your sight I paint;

When I want to die for the living I write poetry,

And when I want a life for the dead I paint;

So poetry and painting go side by side

As the very moon and her moonbeam;-

In poetry soul is the painting,

And in the painting soul is the poem,

And so, my love, my eye is your painting,

And my heart your poem.

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Balkrishna Sama (1903-1981) Nepal

Translated by the author

Source: All Poetry