The Night- The Nation Hemlsman Poem by Emdad Shah Emdad

by Emdad Shah

Deep night descends upon the sleeping sea
Lone helmsman, wake!
Why watch you silently?

We drift through night, a blind and sightless crew
While storms arise to break the mast in two
Who guides the way through this abysmal deep
Where enemy ships in hidden harbors sleep?

A velvet dark has choked the nation's breath
O Freedom, rise— Shake off the trance of death!

Awake, arise, and cast your chains aside
New herald, sing the song of turning tide.

They seek to swallow every spark of light
The sun-bright guards are fainting in the night.

No dawn appears to grace the blackened vast
Who but for you can hold the rudder fast?
Look out across the waves where shadows loom
Our vessel sails toward a hidden doom.

Though tempests rage and thunder rend the sail
I hear a dawn-song rising, faint and frail
Fear not, brave soul, the ship shall push ahead
Your word shall rouse the nation from the dead.

The gates of gloom are open, wide and deep
O Helmsman, arm yourself while others sleep
The storm-tossed heart is trembling in the dark
We place a million lives within your bark.

The nation reels beneath the midnight shroud
O Helmsman, wake!
Ignite the light unbowed
The thunder rolls, the people lose their way
Who else but you can bring the lamp of day?

Those lost in dark, with hearts by doubt possessed—
You must arrive to wake them from their rest
Come to the threshold where the shadows cling
O Ferryman, what sleep can slumber bring?

O future guide, awake, the time is near
Fling back the clouds and banish every fear
O nation's heart, has night not had its fill
Across this sea that holds us, dark and still?

How far must we be tossed upon the tide?

When will the promise of your peace abide?
O steady star, Strike down the gates of night
And flood the world with morning's golden tide!