So hear me, beloved—

This isn’t love anymore…

You are my soul.

Nisar Banbhan, a seasoned poet and writer, based in Karachi, the capital city of Sindh shares his poetry 

Hailing from Village Mir Muhammad Banbhan, Taluka Mirwah, District Khapurpur and based in Karachi, the capital of Sindh, Nisar Banbhan is a seasoned professional with nearly 25 years of multifaceted experience, encompassing 3 years in journalism and over two decades of service in a public sector organization. His extensive expertise spans content creation, scriptwriting, screenwriting, lyrics, poetry, and storytelling across multiple languages, including Sindhi, Urdu, and English. Nisar has honed his skills in writing articles, columns, and short stories, contributing to various national and regional media outlets. Additionally, he brings a deep understanding of program development, educational advocacy, and strategic planning, having led initiatives that promote quality education and foster community empowerment. His passion for literature and education merges seamlessly, enabling him to craft impactful narratives that resonate with diverse audiences while driving meaningful change in society.

O Soul of Mine

Beloved of mine, confession of mine,

You—the tower of dreams that rises within me,

You are the moonlight in my twilight of solitude,

Illuminating every crevice of my heart—

A glow born within,

Like a dewdrop adorning the first bloom of spring.

 

When you draw near and hold my hand,

Gaze into my eyes and softly ask,

“What is it that you truly seek?”

In that sacred moment,

I would slip my hand from yours,

Only to clasp it again—firm and full—

And press myself to your chest to whisper:

“I want only you…

Your being, your presence, your breath—

Forever.”

 

For you are not just love—

You are my soul.

And how can this body live

Without its soul?

Stay… just a little longer.

Sit beside me. Speak.

Find a little room in your heart for me,

Show mercy to this burdened being.

You are not mere affection—

You are my essence.

And when you go,

It feels like my soul is torn from my flesh,

And though I grow cold,

I do not die.

 

Why?

Perhaps because some still live

Even after their souls have departed.

And maybe…

I am one of them.

 

Yet when you call my name

With your sweet, tender voice,

And softly say: “Nisar, I love you”—

My heart longs to become the wind,

To plunge into the depth of the seas,

And cry aloud,

“Behold!

Love has bestowed its mercy upon me—

Yes, love has shown me mercy.”

 

I have hidden the secrets of my soul,

Yet I forgot—

The eyes never lie.

So, my dearest queen,

Come close.

Gaze into mine.

Read what sleeps within their silence,

And discover

How deeply you reside in me—

How vast you are within my every breath.

 

For this is not mere love.

Love can spring from words,

From a novel’s character,

From a long road, or rustling autumn leaves.

But *I* fell in love with *you*—

And true love happens but once.

My love began with you…

And ends with you.

 

O soul of mine,

My dearest life—

I am but a man of flesh,

But when you call me by name,

With honeyed lips and kind eyes,

I feel lifted by winds,

Drawn into oceans deep—

And I want to shout to the skies:

“Love is kind to me.

Yes, this love is kind to me.”

 

Each tear I weep

Is a pearl strung in memory of you.

Every sigh, a song lit with longing,

Every moment, a prayer etched with fire.

Your silence becomes my scripture—

And I, the devoted follower of its verses.

 

Even when you are far,

My soul wanders after you—

Like the body seeking its breath,

The flame seeking its wick,

The fragrance searching for its flower.

 

And my days—

Each one a verse in your name,

My every breath, a hymn of your essence.

I live… only to love you.

To sip the chalice of your affection—

Time and again.

I adorn myself only for you,

And wait for a single word,

A glance from your divine eyes—

So that even if death follows,

It may come as a blessing.

 

For you are my dawn,

My shrine of vision,

The king of my heart’s sacred book.

You—beginning and end of my longing.

And though I have read a thousand names in stars,

Only yours remains engraved

Upon the sky of my soul.

 

This is no fleeting passion—

This is *Ishq*—

A fire that neither time nor death can extinguish.

A flame that glows beneath every breath,

In every silence, in every storm.

 

So hear me, beloved—

This isn’t love anymore…

You are my soul.

And my love began with you—

And with you,

It shall end.

_____________  

Read: Raindrops of Memories