**tribal Ways (Enlightenment Begins) Poem by Sadiqullah Khan

Under the moon spirits were enlivened
The great gathering of the elders turned
This time not counting pebbles on ground
The issues were mightier than might be
The first of the herd they said is thrown
In rough waters for the rest to follow
On agenda was burning a tree all along
In the night for warmth and slaughtered
Lambs when percussion for the blood

White daggers were more a valor
Signs of pride the eloquent speech
Raw count of men or number of sheep
Possession of lands as eye could see
On horse back the powerful travelled
To draw lines on territories new
The freedom of mind meant living
Under the blue sky or stars at night
Roaring talk some stories and songs
From the past as the beloved in youth
Shared burdens of life in wilderness

Grazing pasture this eveniing on Indus
Not the herd but herd of men to watch
Freedom meant the spark is coming
Enlightenment coupled consciousness
The self is now drawing boundaries
Not on the horse back but in ideas
From the past the wish of the now elder
From across the continent bearing fruit
The times are worse but the times good
The musician played in raptures the song
“Where the night for your bosom
Open for whom and for whom the kiss”
13/4/2009

(On occasion of the function of Wana Welfare Association on 11/4/2009)