Ujjain | Steffen Horstmann

Bulbuls trill where voices of pilgrims echo
Through hills the zephyrs climb in Ujjain.

Temple bells chime in Ghalib’s dream of priests
Reciting prayers that rhyme in Ujjain.

Lotus-shaped clouds form as doves flock
In the branches of an old lime in Ujjain.

Stone lanterns emit coils of incense,
Scenting breezes with thyme in Ujjain.

Winds read scripture from prayer wheels
As pavilion bells chime in Ujjain.

Indian Literature and poetry with Ghazals in English – a language of poetry.

Steffen Horstmann’s poems and book reviews have appeared in publications throughout the world, including Baltimore Review, Free State Review, Istanbul Literary Review, Louisiana Literature, Oyez Review, San Antonio Review, Texas Poetry Journal and Tiferet. He has published two books of ghazals, Jalsaghar (2016) and Ujjain (2017).

Steffen Horstmann, in his own words: “Agha Shahid Ali taught me the ghazal form while I was his student at the University of Arizona.”