Madhu Singh
Lapis Lazuli
Arjumand sashays into the Meena Bazaar, tosses the beauteous dome of her head, and an auburn fountain cascades in the charbagh of paradise.
Khurram imagines his burning palm cupping her alabaster cheek, cool as sang-e-marmar under Agra’s sweltering sun. As she gently bends her surhayi neck to hear a friend whisper into her seashell ear, the wine of her love streams into the goblet of his heart and it brims over with impatience.
The silk of her kurti flows as smooth as the Jamuna, sinuous vines spread over its surface embroidered in gold. Her limbs seem like elongated columns inlaid with onyx and corals that glint in the cool daylight of her lapis lazuli eyes. He swears by his Taimuri blood, she shall be the chosen one of his palace, his dearest Mumtaz Mahal.
with each thorn
that pricks his bereaved heart
a rose reddens
in the quartered garden
a brick joins the Taj’s walls
Author’s notes:
Arjumand and Khurram were the first names of the Mughals Mumtaz Mahal & Shah Jahan. It is said they first met in a Meena Bazaar held on the palace grounds.
Charbagh: a rectangular garden designed on a paradise garden as described in the Qu’ran.
Sang-e-marmar: the white marble of which the Taj is made.
Surhayi: an earthen water pitcher
Kurti: tunic
Taimur: the ancestor of the Mughals.Mumtaz Mahal means the chosen one of the palace.
About the Author
Madhu Singh’s poetry is inspired by nature and experiences gained by traveling. She is experienced in the IT Sector and in her free time dabbles in free verse and oriental poetry. She resides in New Delhi, India.