Poetry at Sangam

Poetry at Sangam showcases poetry in English and translations as well as essays on poetics and news of new releases.

THE BEGGAR by Andrei Guruianu

Enough to make a grown man
weep into the palm of his hand,
mothers to tear at their breast.

At night someone always comes
to collect whatever’s in his hat.
Leave him with a piece of bread.

Listen to him as you walk at night
holding a woman’s delicate hand,
which you can’t help but squeeze

just a little bit tighter when you see
this boy, no bigger than his accordion,
at the entrance to lovers’ lane,

playing something vaguely familiar,
a tune that looks impossible to play
using only the stumps of his hands.

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