After Agha Shahid Ali’s “Tonight”: Poem by Aditi Kashyap, ACFA

God sobs in my arms. Call me Ishmael tonight.-Agha Shahid Ali

Buzz after buzz— who dares ring the bell tonight?

Go back at once! Your host lies under a spell tonight.

There are no worries, neither mine not yours,

You call it madness, I say all is well tonight.

In a childish trance—I speak to God,

Shouting, “If you can hear me—please tell tonight.”

If he be Christ—I am the church;

Hand on heart, I shall preach the gospel tonight.

If contact is forbidden, then forgive me father—

I must knock on the doors of hell tonight.

And if longing’s a sin then expel me from heaven;

I’ll sit with the angels who fell tonight.

                               *

My faith’s been brought to question again—

To answer—I won’t be compelled tonight.

Given the chance, however, I’d like to paint God—

Brush in my hand. Call me Raphael tonight.