Sarwat Zabeen Lubna, poem
Moderator 
EIGHT CHAMBERS, NINE DOORS
These days, just thinking of you makes my chest tighten.
The heart freezes, breath halts, all feelings come to a standstill!
In the restless ribs of this eight-chambered cage, knocks echo daily;
Moments remain like nestlings of birds weighed down in sorrow -
And in unbroken solitude, you return as an image cloaked in dust.
Suddenly it overflows - that exuberant, sleeping past.
The heady scent of roses, jasmine,
and tuberose, the floral bridal night;
The moist, reddish touch of two lips over a crystal goblet,
Sleepless dreamy hours lit by running fairy lights,
Me, you, us, our everything, all of it.
The pink hue of bougainvillea on the midday balcony,
Dry leaves scattered across the floor, here and there;
A day without you, the restless solitude of a thirsting bird -
Evening pages shut with the toll of a day’s full wait,
The deep embrace of the one
who returns through the curtain’s touch.
Two people, wild with love, coming closer and closer;
Suddenly sharing moments, forgetting night and day,
Me, you, our drowning, our touching, our hide-and-seek,
Our springtime hearts, side-by-side, eyes in eyes, hands in hands,
Near and far, the playful splash, that moment of getting and not getting.
So near, so far, the playful splash, of found or lost deligh.
…………………………..
BIOGRAPHY OF SARWAT ZABEEN LUBNA
Sarwat Zabeen Lubna is a Bangladeshi-born poet living in the United States. She is a writer and thinker, a lover of nature, and a humble peddler of dreams for humanity, ethics and social responsibility. She was born on 26 April.
She earned her BSc in Architecture from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). She taught at Khulna University and Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology in Bangladesh. She also ran her own architectural firm, Nibasth Architects. Alongside her architectural career, she is a writer, poet, rhymester, and storyteller. Her writings explore themes of love, womanhood, and the human spirit. She wears many creative hats, including storyteller, reciter, video editor, and publication editor.
She began her writing journey in childhood. Over the years, Her poetry, rhymes, story and essays has been published in various international anthologies and journals, including Insight Magazine, The International Literary Magazine, Second Dynamics of TheYear (Awareness in the Fight against Cancer) organized by our Literary House: International Anthology Poets United for the World,Golden Anthology, Echoes of World Poetry, International Anthology "Poets United for the World" by Christian Vedder (Peru) etc.
Her work has been published nationally and internationally in renowned literary anthologies, magazines, journals, and children’s publications, including Insight Magazine, The International Literary Magazine & Global Biographies by Tamikio L. Dooley, ‘Poetas Unidos por el Mundo – XII International Anthology’ by Christian Vedder (Peru) From Antologia Internacional Poetas Unidos pr el Mundo, Golden & Jubilee Anthology by World Wide Writers Association, Echoes of World Poetry & Banmahua by Manik Chakrabarty, Wallington Poetry Media and others. She was featured in and she got Certificate of Appreciation from Global Literary Society.
She is the founder of the literary organization Bellowari Adda, including other pages - Lubna’s Kherokhata and Bachcha Sahitya Kachcha Sahitya. She is involved in the Inspiring Women to Shine organization, usa. She is also appointed as an Ambassador for Bangladesh Culture for the Humanist of the World Organization, Usa and as an International Cultural Ambassador of the project: International Anthology "Poets United for the World" by Christian Vedder (Peru) From the Antologia Internacional Poetas Unidos pr el Mundo. Her awards include prizes from various story festivals, the Human Rights Award 2023, a commemorative honor at the International Children’s Literature Festival 2023, the title of “Poet of the Year 2026” from the Humanist of the World Organization, an award from African Poetry Giant, recognition from a literature competition between Bangladesh and Sweden etc.
Her Bengali books include Belowari Swapnakahon (stories), Borofkuchi Bairi Prahor (stories), Khyangrakathir Chhora (children’s rhymes), and Prithibita Dilam Tomay (poetry).
Translated by: Poet Nurul Hoque
