Afro- Asian Poem How long can one man's lifetime last? In the end we return to formlessness.

I think of you waiting to die A thousand things can cause me distress Your kind old mother's still alive Your only daughter's only ten. In the vast chilly wilderness I hear the sounds of weeping men. Clouds float into a great expanse Birds fly but do not sing in flight how lonely are the travelers even the sun shines cold and white Alas, when you still lived, and asked to study non- rebirth with me, My exhortation were delayed And so the end came, fruitlessly All your old friend have brought you gifts but for your life these too are late I've failed you in more ways than one. Weeping, i walk back to my gate. BY: VIKRAM SETH