A Midsummer Night's Dream Aborted Or The Birth Of A University Poem by Ahamad Ilyaas Vilayathullah

Late one night, all in oranges,
I was in a rare dream.
I was so involved in the vision
That nothing could draw me from it.

My little ones, eyes fully shut,
In similar visions, lying close by
Or over and beyond a wall.
The day was too long, hot
And tiring to the marrow
That the night's blanket was
A wedding garment for me,
So painful to part.

The bedside landline not let
To die for fear of the need
Of those who are still alive
And have some sense left,
Rang so loud and deadening.

It was my friend's voice
Streaming in from the neighborhood,
On another time, no doubt,
Will be dear and sought for.

He had an urgent message for me:
It was from our boss
Tough, time-bound and inescapable.

I thought the prophesied deluge
Is come and everyone
Must board the ark!

It was not so startling
As I thought, thank god!

It announced rather
The birth of the university
Long trumpeted to happen,
And all must give
His seevee by morn.

There is no time to lapse
And the boss can't wait.

And all knows he was
Just and right every bit.
He must fall in line.
The machinery works so.

I couldn't help being cheerful
Over the birth of the prophesied,
And the stiff and stern welcome
It solemnly received.

Let me not bother
About the rare dream
That was aborted halfway,
Although I know
A lifetime's waiting will not
Beckon it back to me.
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