A Paused Bird (1) Poem by Showkat Ahmad Wani

A drowsy bird at naked branch of dull
And icy tree, and chums have taken trips
To destinies, not though by trust of wings
But chance of worthy winds and barred HE
By inward bird of perception, the dark
And grimy horses galloping the shade
Of evening deep to cages of night, and HE
Is still in stand and wait with thoughtful head
Is hidden into frozen wings of HIM,
My dear! Let ear, the owls of gloomy voice
May terminate thy breath and imps of night
May snatch thy soul and lift to hell thy will,
And pride may mix with starch of dust and eyes
Of vastly gaze may drop in depths, this form
Of early rise may grill in cage at last,
And stoutest steady heart may quiver fast
In shade of fear, let give thy hand of hope
In MINE, have journey joint and lift thy wings
To fly in sea of darkness, fall the wall of night
With sturdy wings and will in search of dawn.
(SHOWKAT AHMAD WANI)