Nostalgia Poem by Ahmad Shiddiqi

(dedicated to Sr. Gabriel Gárcia Márquez, a great storyteller)

In your heart are the birds, the breeze, the flowers, the lamb, the sunshine
Much pleasure, then from thee, much more, must glow, must flow
Of snow upon the mountains and the wanderers' camps
Then how grace a rose? I feel, I know a way!

One two! One two! One two! and through and through
To see love descending and see love ascending
We count our joys not by what we have
Drawing Love's bands more tight

That there's a God, that there's a Savior too
Ah, love, let us be true, to one another!
And the rocks melt with the sun
And I sunned it with smiles

Alluring dreams voyage me
Through celestial love
Reassure me
Remember

Chant of innocence story
Invigorate less melody
Recollect me
Remember

Leaf of a sultry tree
Behold blurry hope
Reinforce me
Remember

Sweet Love of Youth, forgive, if I forget thee
Begin, and cease, and then again begin
The blessed rain is coming too
There're oceans in the sky

Storming the world with sorrow's wind and fire
Moonlight does not require the pathway
And makes a pretty playfellow
Of a surf-decorated shore

With things whose tunes are played out and forgotten
Away from books, away from art, the day vanished
The heart recognizes thee, alone, alone, alone!
Where both deliberate, love is right, the light

(inspired by Enigma's song - The Child in Us)