A Pleasure Trip Poem by Akhtar Jawad

I have forgiven the dog
who bit me uncalled
and the cat who entered my kitchen
and ate all the fruit custard
my mother had made for me
and the mouse that stole dry fruits
my father had brought for me
and the birds who dig the earth of my garden
and with their sharp nibs
carried the seeds of flowers
for their young ones;
though I am sorry for the flowers
that could not bloom;
and my pet a white silky rabbit
who was injured by a beast
and whose injuries could not heal up
and he died before my wet eyes.

My Love!
May I expect
you will receive me smiling
when my ship arrives
at your green island
where there are flowers and fruits
where birds sing so sweet melodies
where deer run and jump
where peacocks dance in the forests.

Where there in the center of the island
there are rows of large and high mountains
that are source of lovely rivers
neat and clean,
that walk to the sea
like a bride
swimming and flying
to a fairy land of love.

My Love!
I think in the center of your island
there is a volcano
that burns and turns everything in ashes
but may I expect you will make a hut for me
on the bank of an still lake
in a valley of green tall trees
close to a fall
that spreads
sweet and cold water,
like the naughty clouds,
on the huts
and where it's always a rainy season.

My Love!
Promise me,
with that dog, cat and mouse,
and birds and beast,
and my silky rabbit,
and with a fairy of my dreams
you'll receive me with a loving smile.

My Love!
Please don't regret and don't let me know
if you don't have any such island
let my last journey remain
a pleasure trip!