Ghazal of the Vanished
WorldWinds glistened where the gods of the Masai existed,
When silver clouds in a translucent sky existed.
Cherry blossoms float
through a mountain pavilion,
Where the shrine of the
last Samurai existed.The drums of Aborigines summoned throngs of bees
From a meadow where an ancient kowhai existed.
Wandering prophets
became whirlwinds of light
When the crystal temples
of Veii existed.
The shadows of lions
appear in drifting sands
Where winds that
mimicked the gazelle's cry existed.Bash├╡ prayed encircled by chrysanthemums,
When the secret oasis of Sakai existed.
The rain pastes plum petals on temple walls
Where the Zen gardens of Hokusai existed.
Sibylla's chameleon robe shimmered as she spoke
Of a world that vanished before I existed.
The Sikandra Djinns
Winds shriek in lands from which sages expelled them−
Reciting in the night spells that repelled them.
Caravels were smashed by
surging swells as torrents
Thrashed the temples of
the king that expelled them.
Wakened from the trance
of a pavilion bell's chime,
Ravana's breath formed
sciroccos that dispelled them.
Flames formed in the
eyes of winged-djinns screeching
As gales streamed in
fast clouds that propelled them.
Sparks pulse like fireflies,
rising from stone lanterns
Emitting the sacred
incense that repelled them.from The Diva of Jalsaghar
The voices of gods spoke
In the dreams of Begum Akhtar.
Become the translucent rain
Glazing bo-trees in Kamar.
Become shimmering sands veiling
Sacred ruins in Jhanar.
Become lotus-shaped clouds floating
Above temples in Kassar.
Become Himalayan snow
swirling
At the shrines of saints
in Shamar.
Become the sapphire
sky
Blossoming with rainbows
in Qatar.Become the resplendent estuaries
Brimming with moonlight in Danar.
And listen for the phoenix's shriek
Echoing through forests in Tajar.
Listen for the soft hum
of fireflies,
Pulsing like sparks in
the glades of Shivar.
Listen for the
nightingale's notes
Floating through the
twilight in Fahar.Become chinar leaves falling in clusters
Upon palace courtyards in Amar.
Become the murmuring sea heard
In the desert winds of Tamar.
Become the dunes of
whitest gypsum
Caressed by zephyrs
crossing Madar.
Become brilliant
ice-sculptures
Melting like glaciers in
Makar.
Become white fire
bursting
From the corona of a
star.
Become the night's hair
black & thick in Shiva's hands.
Become the light that
sparkles upon the Gobi's white sands.
