ghazal ("India far away")

Now lately away from India   far away
I ponder the sway of India   far away

the hustle & bray of India   fade to charm
when out of the fray of India   far away

her vastness could never be mastered   one but bows
who'll blacken the gray of India   far away?

her Bhopal padmas return to life in my mind
I pine for a stay in India   far away

I failed to embrace her fully   but her glance
encouraged this lay of India   far away

her closeness is more than closeness   quoth the soul
I'm gladly the prey of India   far away

if Raphael should be destined to dwell afar?
he'll cherish the clay of India   far away