for JG

measure for me Johnny bhai
the peace of mountain sunset
tranquility of sea-shore dawn
the babyís first smile, words, steps

the accidental touch of skins
of lovers to-be
their first embrace
the intensity of passion
when separated they are

or the memory of a certain smile
that we ensconce above all
in the recesses of our hearts

let mathematics and sciences
qualify and quantify these

phir hum janaiNgay
phir hum daikaiNgay
dil -- ishíq aur husín
hay behtar ya
dimagh aur hisaab-kitaab

then will understand
who wins the battle of
hearts and minds
mathematics or poetry