Pramila Khadun writes

The lanes of love

Love is not an open field

Where we run about joyously

Without a fixed destination,

Spreading our arms to light.

It has three lanes,

Very definite and as clear

As the crystal moon,

Glittering like a wreath of pearls.

The first lane is shady, flowery,

As pellucid as Spring

Where star-bright companions

Meet in a 'love at first sight',

Like the glinting dew, twinkling all bright.

'You are destined for me', say the hearts

And the lovers nod their heads in glee

With serendipitous gleam in their eyes.

The second lane is a fast track.

Meetings and marriages are arranged

And love too, albeit in a different way,

Evoking empathy and tenderness.

Hearts are unlocked and love flows

As slowly as it grows.

Sweetly like a convincing crescendo

Confidence is established

And the ride may be bumpy or smooth.

The third lane is full of pathos,

Over-flooded with the tears

Of meandering rivers flowing

From the sad eyes of lovers.

It is a meeting of ancient souls,

Interesting and effusive, palpable

That the hearts recognize

With the speed of lightning.

Emotions are intense and pure, a catharsis,

As old as History and as reliable as marble.

There is pain everywhere----

The pain emerging from not seeing,

Not touching, not feeling, not kissing,

Not being able to hold each other,

And be together.

Sometimes fate, at other times the world,

Separates the lovers, pining for each other

And sadly enough, death embraces them

To give them the meeting

That life couldn't.

Step not in this third lane

For in this lane

There is sorrow and self-destruction

Unless you are armed with a heart

That defies all,

Breaks all barriers

And conquers all,

For in this lane,

True love reigns.