BIHARI

(1595–1664)

As if to lift my babe-in-arms,

my brazen lover touched my breast

with just a fingertip.

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When I found her in the bathing pool,

my footstep startled her—she crouched

to hide her breasts and glanced about.

Seeing no one else, her smile was shy.

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All day she studies her new

love-bite in the mirror,

examining, covering,

then revealing it again.

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Loveliness beyond words,

this woman dressed

in a sari to match her skin,

those beautiful breasts

concealed and yet exposed.

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