The Watchman Poem by Rajesh Kumar Vaid

As the horses of night billow the surface above,
When the sun shuts the shining shop shutters,
As the weary men sink in the wool of the hearth,
Than the dreary watchman’s wooden staff, silence shatters!

As I swivel my specs on the hinge of the ear,
Than relax my eyes holding ridge on fingers, rear
Owl hoots near the window, prey clasping, cold wire,
Watchman stops near the park, face burning in the fire

Outside, breeze is gentle cold hands I stretch overhead,
The glint of the eyes, feline caught me in silhouette’s soft tread,
Dogs have come to morsel the leftover grand post-prandial,
Watchman watches them munching, finding his own, parochial!

Bolt fastened, locks in place, warm inside, electric furnace
Brood and mate, snug, in quarters, dreaming, peck on each lovely face!
Proud I, feeling of sure satisfaction, of Love, of drowning, stupefaction,
However, Sentry in the grand tradition, measure the night, mace in place

The gift of peace, rest and ease, and health, at night, God gives to us,
The colors, or grey, behind the eyes, dreams treats, are ours, sumptuous,
But knight of mace, at hours of dark, in cold, n’rain, a heart alone,
Fights the night, the thieves, the frights, so that our new day can carry on!

Hisar,15/12/2008