poem – Page 117 – Hearts Still Care

The Bird and Her Egg.

The drops splash atop sleeping leaves,
Like beats measuring song;
The grey sky its burden relieves
And the rain falls for long.

A bird’s laid an egg in mom’s flowers;
She thinks it’s safe and well;
The poor thing doesn’t know it’s just hours
Before it’s reduced to a shell.

The frightened eyes are red and bright,
Unblinking, full of fear;
But instinctual love gives it might,
It moves not though I’m near.

My dog sees it and pounces fast
I restrain her, the bird flies!
Its own survival wins at last:
Love leaves, life’s lost, hope dies.

The grey sky turns dark as the trees,
The rain drops aren’t as strong,
They splash still atop sleeping leaves,
With beats of a new song.

My night prepares me for Hope,
Staying awake in silence,
With eyes wide open,
Has made me appreciate the dark.

Loneliness corresponds.

Staying awake prepares me.

Through the past, I built my hope on blue skies and the sun.
In years, I realised the blue could turn grey,
And the sun could burn and set.

The dreams night bestowed
Were invisible by day.

So I am awake,
When the world about me
Blissfully dreams on.

Alone – doing whatever it is I do –
Staying awake at night,
Sleeping through mornings instead.

Quiet night prepares me,
For the rest of life ahead.

5th November 2007.

Monsoons cascade over my sweltering skies,

The sun’s glare no longer hurts my eyes,

The koél sings and with it my heart flies;

For now, time has stilled in memory.

The cool wind blows in from clouds wide and grey,

There is slanted light and heat’s kept at bay;

All is fresh: this is how I like my day;

For now time has stilled in memory

I lay my head down and call soft to sleep

And see what dreams I shall get to keep,

Floating along with stars in skies so deep;

For now time has stilled in memory

Through my half-closed eyes, I see the moon,

Peeking through the clouds to hear earth’s tune,

As it welcomes rain as a blesséd boon;

For now, time has stilled in memory.

I hear no sound now, for none are near me,

Some I’ve pushed away, most have set me free,

I’ve no room for pain, it, too, leaves me be;

For now time has stilled in memory

4 July 2007.