SUMMER DAWN

SUMMER DAWN

 Heavens and stars above, the Glory!

Such stuffs as are nature’s made:

The hills, dales and river plains

Breeze and brooks and forest glades.

The sky stretched above so vast

Here is a cloud, there is a star

In the quiet still of the night

When the moon slides by the window bars.

Lost in the biding land of dreams

Gentle breathing of souls asleep-

Perhaps an alternate Universe

Entered only when sleep comes deep

Tick and Tock, goes the clock

I think of various things

When suddenly the first bird chirps

Followed soon by a singing chorus.

‘Tis the signal for the sun

And there he comes, blazing forth

Splashing the world in a wonderful haze

Dispelling the night with all his mirth.

Enthralled, I stare

Hold back a yawn:

Of all the colours Allah’s created

There’s none like that of Summer Dawn.

Is it pink?

Is it blue?

A wonderful combination

Of the two?

Alack poor souls

Still lost in sleep

Missing this out

A true memory to keep!

So I stand and watch a while more

The roses laugh and the trees dance

Till my heart lets loose a bubble of joy

And I leap in with a sprightly prance.

                                                                            - Rizowana Husseini

                                                                              St. Stephen's College, New Delhi