The power of (the one less in) love

A folk spell for keeping someone who's already gone, and a renunciation of love itself for something larger. Stephen Dunn and Faiz Ahmed Faiz on the different ways devotion gets withheld. Lovers by Stephen DunnTo keep the one you want dig up a footprint of hers and put it in a flowerpot. Then plant a marigold, the flower that doesn't fade. And love her. If she's distant now it's for a reason beyond control. So don't tamper with the impressions left by her body when for the last time she leaves your bed. Just smooth them out and forget her. Who is not vulnerable to a stronger magic (the broken glass, the bullets in a yawn), the terrible power of the one less in love.Do not ask me for that love again by Faiz Ahmed FaizThat which then was ours, my love,don’t ask me for that love again.The world then was gold, burnished with light –and only because of you. That’s what I had believed.How could one weep for sorrows other than yours?How could one have any sorrow but the one you gave?So what were these protests, these rumours of injustice?A glimpse of your face was evidence of springtime.The sky, whenever I looked, was nothing but your eyes.If you’d fall into my arms, Fate would be helpless.All this I’d thought, all this I’d believed.But there were other sorrows, comforts other than love.The rich had cast their spell on history:dark centuries had been embroidered on brocades and silks.Bitter threads began to unravel before meas I went into alleys and in open marketssaw bodies plastered with ash, bathed in blood.I saw them sold and bought, again and again.This too deserves attention. I can’t help but look backwhen I return from those alleys – what should one do?And you are still so ravishing – what should I do?There are other sorrows in this world,comforts other than love.Don’t ask me, my love, for that love again.