Hickory dickory dock,
the mice run up the clock,
the clock struck one -
other mice all run -
he's ok, but he's suffering from shock

Would that my eyes were a fountain of tears
to mourn those cut off in the prime of their years
the children, young boys, teenagers and men
that will never see the earth or the sky again
crushed underfoot in dearth unrelenting
in crowd unawares, in world unrepenting,
mothers are wailing and fathers are rending,
unable to fathom their child's early ending,
infants are crying and siblings lamenting,
'father', 'brother', their cries tormenting,
who can give voice to the emotions venting,
o'er jewels and gems, sweet men of learning,
the innocent souls never returning,
to parents, to spouses, to houses of learning,
world, take heed, abjure your errors,
say enough to the pain, the fright 'n the terrors,
let the cries go out to heal humanity,
from its stupidity, its ridiculous insanity,
my mind is weary from thinking on this,
thus pen i lay down, from writing desist.

there was an old man from Calcutta
who talked as he ate bread 'n butter
but caused a combustion
when oration waxed fustian
and he started to cough and to splutter

As his cough started getting much worse,
he started to rant and to curse,
his face turned red
'fore he dropped dead
and his bread came up in reverse

then his breath came back all-a-flutter
and he sat up and started to mutter
from now on i declare
in pronouncement and swear
i'll not eat any bread with my butter

So this poor old man from Calcutta
would just eat his butter with butter
till he became overweight
and hit Pearly Gate
that poor fat old man from Calcutta

the night began with revelry
with joy, with song, with dance,
the choir sang sweet melody,
the rabbis in sweet trance,
the flames leapt high towards the sky
as roundabout advanced
the voices of a myriad sighs
soul's spirit-flame enhanced

but lo, a tragedy on the way,
ere long begun the day,
as hundred thousand men would sway
towards enchanted arched gateway
a hundred thousand men o' ardor,
there to bargain and to barter
with heaven's lore and law of order,
squashed against the barrier border

the lights became their funeral lamps
leading groups of mourners
the cave became where death encamps
'stead praying saints in corners
and all about the yell and shout
'stead praise from G-d's adorners
tears and cries from hearts worn out
as carrion for the scorners

he shook the sheet o' cotton,
                                               torn beyond repair
and aired the slept-in bed
                                               home and nighttime lair
shooed out the air that's rotten
                                               privy to his despair
and laid the warm bedspread
                                               attenuate, threadbare

he puffed up the pillow
                                           must put on braver face
and laid it down with care
                                          straightening out the lace
opened up the window
                                         looking up to space
and let in cleaner air
                                         with hope for Divine Grace

thus ushered in the new day
                                        his heart in hope and prayer
of new earth, and sunshine ray
                                        with beat of love-affair
as yesterday's forgotten,
                                        his hands carving out the air
as comes a new born day.
                                        as comes the L-rd of care.

in the bulrush, by the river,
where brown seed pod 'n green spike quiver,
by the bank of golden long grass,
as guilt tresses in framed hand-glass,
flowing locks of glowing young lass,
dancing in the water'd mirror
where the rippled circles shiver
where the sun and moonlight shimmer
twixt the dross and floating debris
there i spied the rainbow'd mandarin
red 'n navy, red 'n aquamarine,
orange, auburn, blue 'n teal-green,
as the palette o' Claude Monet,
swirl'd Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso,
unaware of colours gay,
swimming slow in feet o' yellow,
unaware of Artist's play,
unassuming, with bowed head
burnished bronze 'n beak of red,
and by his side his mate 'n bride,
in subtle shades of patchwork pied,
together they the water glide,
the king and queen of nature's pride.

I look and think how fortunate
with gifts disproportionate
you must be,
life life with glee,
as happy as can be

Yet, if I were you, I'd know,
there's darkness in your glow,
you may glitter
I may be bitter,
but life for me is fitter

If I were you, I'd yearn
for others' gifts discern'd,
though outward spurn,
with no concern,
inward I would burn.

And though I know you look at me,
with eyes of bitter envy
if you were me,
you'd soon see
life's as good's can be

for each of us is gifted
from heaven we're assisted
as glove fits hand
as sea with sand
there's fairness in G-d's plan

So though I'm blind to intention,
If I aspire without question,
to do His Will
Life with thrill
My cup will overfill

Why were we not made with feather'd wing
to glide, to ride, to fly the skies?
Instead, to earth we're born to cling,
to yearn the thermals with our eyes.

And some may ask, or intercept,
why were we not as fish created,
to swim and explore the ocean depths,
instead to walk on ground we're fated?

Indeed, methinks, betwixt the two,
man was made [that's me and you],
to join the worlds in harmony,
the skies, the ground, the sand, the sea.

As microcosm of macrocosm,
he stands in middle of the world,
between greatest distance we can fathom,
and smallest type of life unfurl'd.

As fulcrum of all activity,
we're responsible - that's you and me -
for everything in universe,
for good, for better, or, for worse.

we're more alike than different,
our differences add some spice
it makes us more magnificent,
so let's agree to splice

let's butter our bread with peace,
and place a slice o' amicability,
add bread, another piece,
and let's celebrate our affinity.

let's lift our cups in unity,
and cheer to joie de vivre,
let's use G-d's opportunity
and learn to be a giver

smile warmly to another,
even on the street,
the man next door's your brother
try being extra sweet

you'll find you'll start enjoying
your life so much more,
you'll find much less annoying
the bully or the bore

it's good to be alive
when we can help each other
to help each other thrive
to dare to be an 'other'.

so join our hands together
enjoy the mosaic 'n tapestry,
let birds of different feather
sing in majestic harmony.

and so i fell
into an abyss
far away
from my soul's bliss
far from His
arduous Kiss
into a pit that i had dug
into a darkness that i had fashioned
into place of devil's laughter
of no floor, no wall or rafter,
place o' nothingness, save deepest black
to salve soft spirit's yearnings' lack
for 'neath the fall was emptiness,
wilderness of stealthiness,
the bivouac of the soul
flapped with wraps more black than coal,
void of form and void of courage,
void of charm of spirit's marriage,
yet like the dimpl'd glow of youth,
the glistening white of false front tooth,
the empty love of harlot's booth,
it blinds my eyes to wisdom's sooth.

though deaf i be
to harmony
i hear the music
in a-b-c

in the halls of culture,
in the corridors of art,
(where concealed rites sepulture
are made on human heart)

in the schools of science,
the shrines of self-reliance,
(where they pay obeisance
to their paying clients)

in cathedral of academia,
the high churches of learning,
(where publication media
gains profession's earning)

in all these lobbies of power,
the chambers of government,
beneath the gilt and flower,
beneath false guise of betterment,

beneath the charm and splendour,
beneath the language tender,
there lies secret agenda,
for advance of pretender

there, steps are made of people,
and mountains from the crowds
and on the tops a steeple
pierces the greyest clouds

"how great am i
to look from high,
to rule the masses
from the sky"

but in heaven there's different plan
a different way to look at man
the steeple on the top is gone
all persons divine, one echelon

one step on man is a step on G-d,
and he who ruled, on Him he trod,
I little envy the position
of he who reached his ambition

to be the king of the castle
to tread 'pon spirits astral
to be a spiritual rascal
to attenuate the bashful

'the meek will inherit the earth'
of Psalms, thirty-seven,
is not a verse of mirth
but a law of heaven

for there'll come a time,
so saith this rhyme,
that deceit'll implode
before sacred code

the dusk chorus
sing for us
ivory keys
on twigs of trees

heralding
the oncoming
silver ring
of night-time king,

in his velvet robe of black
diamond studded, crystal'd lac,
ere he enters life's arena
they sing the song of ballerina

how she lost the love she yearned for
how she pined, and longed, and burned for,
how she found her sweetheart courter,
how she fell in arms of lover

and as the satin sheet was laid
she lay down beneath his shade,
closed her eyes as love betray'd
secrets of her true knight's blade

adamantine as rock of star,
inflammable with fire bizarre,
soft in ear whispered endearment
as perfection reached fulfilment

then, phoenix from the embers,
slow she rose up as eternal,
as immortal soul remembers
birth of life from youthful kernel

for forever now she'll sing
the notes that form her truelove king
the music of the morning's morn
as new life and breath is born

to You my heart thirsts
cry in me bursts
but eyes are weak, face pallid,
no longer worth, no longer valid

how long will i sit in the darkness,
lost in haze of howling hyena,
my soul is naked, hates the starkness
of physicality, of sin's arena.

in sigh heart's immersed
as bereav'd mourns her first
to You my heart thirsts
my cry in me bursts,

i'm sinking in quagmire
arms are weak,
lost their fire,
one thing still desire.

You.

a humanoid is he
no bigger than my thumb
he sits and laughs before me
he says i look quite glum

and when i ask his name
he winks and shakes his head
"what's a name if not for fame
i'll take anonymity instead"

only i can see him
as strange as that may seem
full of vigour and vim
more vivid than a dream

and if you think it's fantasy
the tale i tell you now
a part of inner phantasy
although i don't know how

well, that's your choice and right to say,
i'll not deny you that
but i see him now, as clear as day,
and that's the end of that

black and white
night and day
left and right
learn and play

life and death
disease and health
peace and war
rich and poor

land and sea
earth and sky
good and bad
low and high

in a world of opposites
elements and composites
it's up to us to choose our way
but if perchance we're led astray

remember that wherever you are
in highest heaven or deepest tar
however near you feel, or far,
G-d is not some far-off star

He's with you in the dead of night
He's there with you in fear and flight
He even holds your hand in hell
in blackest pit or prison cell

No matter of the circumstance
In enemy retreat or their advance,
Or if you feel clamped up tight,
Because of sorrowful bitter plight

Just hold on till the storm has passed,
Ride out the cruel trough and fall,
There was a time when life was a blast,
There'll be a time you won't recall

The pain, the black, the tear'd confusion,
As peak and crest will lift you up,
As you'll see 'twas all illusion
As painted lady's white make-up

animal writhes on stomach
whispers in your heart
entices you to plummet
from your soul to part

it won't be terrible
you'll get over it
the sin'll be bearable
in a minute you'll quit

the more you think, the more you're caught
in net of sticky strand
don't get caught up in his thoughts
enticement like quick-sand

dart swift across, don't hark back,
engage in some other good deed,
before you know it, he'll stop attack
when he sees he can't succeed

a myriad solar stars
danced on rippled river
moving, broken bars
silver of largesse Giver

leaping light in flits of fun
as arrows from archer's quiver
glancing, lancing cracked mirror
with searing rays of sun

as footsteps mine trod a-bank
a host of dew-blest drops
upon the blades as soldiers' rank
green rifles on hilltop

and thereupon, beheld did I,
a myriad suns of shining sky,
laid out scattered 'neath my feet,
laughing, dancing, notes on sheet,

safron heads with garlands gold
as spokes of wheel, of chariots old,
lemon-yellow and amber blond,
plates on stem as juggler's wand

scarce a week of nights gone by
and in same field did I spy
in place of golden suns of sky
a myriad moons, with heads held high

and from the ivory spheres of pearl,
as wafts of breath did cause to swirl,
a newfound life of newborn soul,
as sparks divinity from the Whole

for though the sun gives life untold
honey'd nectar and heat from cold,
the seed of future is in moon's hand,
as fairies 'light upon the sand

take my head                                        i take your head
hold me                                                 i hold you
kiss my lips                                           i kiss your lips
fold me                                                  i fold you
in your embrace                                   in my embrace
                  together we will ever be as one

one
tear
trickled
down
broke into a million cries

a heart that's broken
a shattered mirror
reflects more feeling
than one that's clear
than one that's healing
flaws of terror
as each glass shard
cuts hard

each glass shard
reflects a world
forever scarred
forever knurled
a soul so marred
that great wings furled
once a bard
now up-curled

heart that's broken
has wings clipped
words unspoken
and sealed lips
bound with tape
that never holds
longs to escape
and wings unfold

heart that's broken
has jeremiad
of demons woken
as songs o' Iliad
that longs for balm
of inner wound
an inner calm
to soul marooned

knock, knock,
who's there?
then again,
Couldn't care

I'm lethargic,
mind can't think,
Standing on
edge of brink

someone catch me,
Anyone there?
Anyone love me?
anyone care?

G-d, I beg you,
heed my cry,
G-d I need you,
'Yes', you reply

I hear you say
'that's all i wanted,
to hear you pray,
"L-rd, I'm daunted"

I can't alone
I so need you
nobody else
at all will do

yes, i'm flawed,
You made me so,
I'm a fraud
but good also

so, yes, I'm saying,
i may be swaying,
but from Your Grace
I fall to Your Face

For in the depths
Of the darkness
in back-steps,
when sky is starless

there I know Your hand in mine
there my tears in Yours entwine,
and when i hear Thine Heart beating
I'll know the reason o' mine entreating

that when things are bright
and things look right,
I'm really far
from seeing Your Might

and when i dwell in lifetime's night,
I know that dark adjoins to bright,
and as the moon reflects sun's light,
i know the sun will end the night.

and at the end,
when things unfold,
all will ascend
as of old

for the prophets told of things exemplary
that will be of You testamentary
that all will behold Your Face in reverie
as no more will this world bear stench of treachery

and as past and future fore You are one,
in this moment, it's all begun,
revelation of Your Face,
and in this darkness is Your Grace.

they lie on my couch and reminisce
and call to mind what's amiss
i feed them with ideas of light
that turns their thoughts sunshine bright

and whilst it's them i try to heal
it's really me that's beginning to feel
life's manageable, there's a way out,
action speaks loud and it's got clout

so when you're feeling down in the dumps
from life's travails, its humps and bumps,
when you're in receipt of dark deceit
of sorrows that turn to bitter the sweet

helping others is a way to trump
the things that make your heart go thump
it's a therapy like no other
the help you give to one another.

do i think of interactions myriad
that crying causes when giving tears?
do i analyse my emotions and period,
the synaptic connections between the ears?

why then do i separate earthly rumble,
the earthquake, volcano, the earth crust crumble,
from the inner sigh that permeates
the earth's gyrations' dire straits?

why are we deaf to the inner language,
the pain, expression, the spiritual anguish,
why do we dwell on science, logistics,
on physical mechanics, theoretical heuristics?

one tear, it is said, in the sea is shed,
a tear of pain of all mankind,
a tear of pain as blood that's bled
from carotid vein from heart to head

that tear causes the mountains to tremble,
the typhoons, tornadoes, and earth dissemble,
it's a tear of fear, of fright, of dread,
a tear that fears that love is dead.

it's a tear that waits, that longs to hear
the beating heart of humankind,
that's still awaiting one single tear
from human heart and human mind.

A tear that one day will turn to delight,
when man embarks on bold emprise
to seek the G-dliness that's in full sight
if only humanity would open its eyes.

knock, knock
who's there?
no answer
couldn't care

knock, knock
back again
door's still locked
on latch 'n chain

knock, knock
who's there?
open lock
trepid stare

i see a wave in the air
tugs a memory in my heart
an empty whisper, empty air,
i was of you, a part apart

once a soul within you lodged
it breathed, it dreamed, it felt, it prayed,
it cried with bitterness when you dislodged
G-d from your heart to stray in shade

so now at times i knock on door
but you're so blind, you see no more,
you keep the door shut so tight,
inside you're black, dark as night

when first i peeked from the ground,
clothed and swathed in viridescence
chlorophyll succulence all around
reflecting sunlight's iridescence

as ballerina's pirouette
as ice skater's loop and twirl
as fiery sphere in dark sunset
as spinning top's whirl 'n swirl

as emanating baby's head
as spirit rising from the dead
as crystal gem in golden set
as sacred dome of white lunette

i emerged with head clasped tight
with green fingers as stalagmite
loom'd from earth in silver wonder
as lightening strikes in silent thunder

as sun bequeaths its golden treasure
as peacock sprays its blue-green feathers,
I shyly let my flower grow,
my lemon crown, with spokes that flow

shameless as a clown's false grin,
painted crimson on plaster'd chin,
sparkling like a whiskied gin
'fore the room starts to spin

swaying in the woodland breeze,
amongst green rifles set at ease,
move in unison as waves of seas,
as strokes of paint on artist's frieze

then, one night, as i lay still,
beheld a change in moonlight chill,
as halcyon petals withered and died
white fibres midday opened wide

crystal spheres of ghost alabaster
speckled as sugar and salt in caster,
of pearl 'n ivory, ball o' moonstone,
as pail of milk, as polished bone

clocks of flying feathers and fluff,
fairies' parachutes, children's puff,
seed in seat of air balloon,
to plant in dune my nature's boon

a moonbeam touched the earth one night
it shone through window and skylight
it danced from roof to tree to ground
it lanced the cat and dog and hound

it spread its palest silver light
as one who walks with royal right
with quiet dignity, declared its might
in secret whisper, with no fight

it bathed me with its pearly crown
it wrapped me in its ermine gown
it swooped me up and laid me down
in softest feather'd eiderdown

in wordless voice said mystery,
bereft of cunning or witchery,
there laid clear its history,
orbit of Earth periphery

its waxing waning faceless orb
reflecting light in night's absorb
revealing hidden lantern true
the shine of day in heaven's blue

but more than mirror, i am the soul
of inner yearning, want and goal,
i am the softness in the night
that makes you dream, that makes you write

i am the magic that shines a path
in desolation of war's wrath,
who speaks the badgers and otters' tongue
who comforts babes, and nature's young

i am the cry of lonesome one
ere the light of day's begun
who dreads the hour of dawn's on-come,
the herald of day in rising sun

i am the silent witness of
oppression without love
i am a link in stillness of
your chain to the Above

tweet goes the bird
cow follows herd
vulture feeds on dead
lice **** blood from head

man alone boasts
i rule from coast to coast
makes hero out of ghosts
proclaims he's king of hosts

cultured and accomplished,
diction clear 'n polished,
superior, none like me,
save aliens, likely likely

i'll splash millions exploring mars
discover planets and more stars
shout into space for all i'm worth
as millions suffer here on earth

because i'm intelligent and so caring
and life is all about giving and sharing
so i'll dump my refuse on some backward land
and when they cry, i'll lend them a hand

i'd never do anything at someone's expense,
whatever i do makes absolute sense,
so let's get on with the pretence
and speak up loud in man's defence

what type o' napkins when we're wed?
how about smarties or currants in bread?
hard drinks selection with buffet-spread?

pull the plastic over his head

what kind of flowers in my hair?
white-pink blooms o'er bridal chair?
what sort o' gown shall i wear?

push him harder, make sure there's no air

how about music in the yard?
[my cousin says poetry like a bard]
and name-places written on gilt-edged card?

he's struggling, push him hard

maybe a barbecue too, meat-on-the-grill,
aromatic salmon, seasoned with dill
let people eat what they want till their fill

that's seven minutes, he's finally still

and a milk side-dish, fish in lemon butter,
[the thought of it makes my heart flutter!]
and cucumber sandwiches with peanut butter

it's sawing-time, pass the electric cutter

we need plenty of drink to give extra zap
make sure the chairs have good nap
don't want them feeling like burlap

we'll put the pieces in plastic wrap

for the colour scheme, how about blue?
with a touch of violet and indigo hue?
want everything perfect for me and for you

this thigh is huge, cut it in two

i think we can rely on the Saudi sun
for the feast of the wedding, and all the fun
With Allah's grace, His will be done

burn it all, that's him done.

there's a heartbeat in a second
eternity in a moment
time lives till he's beckon'd
to surrender his endowment

it was not there 'neath pebble or stone
it was not there in sigh or moan
it was not hidden in the bank
of yen or dollar or pound or franc

i could not find it in my house
'mongst the knick-knacks of child 'n spouse
it seemed i'd lost forever and after
time

but then i found lost time one day
by giving a smile 'n myself away,
he came back slowly, unsure at first,
but then returned, as bank that burst

the more i gave, the more i found
'twas not lost nor died nor drowned
he just was hiding all around
as twinkling dust on the ground

there's music, golden melody,
that twinkles, in breathless revelry
that eclipses sweetest heavenly
celestial, ethereal, glorious company

it has no tune nor has it harmony
it jars the ears, is out of key,
but it is sweeter than sugared tea,
and formed the world in void cavity

it's name is laughter, the smile of glee,
it's voice is the voice o' hilarity,
it bears eternal testimony
imperfect's perfection o' first degree

i tip-toed forwards through time
glancing over my shoulder
swirling round in tempo rhyme
as soul would not grow older
eternity was mine to keep
though shell might break and moulder
though frame would one day fall asleep
i'd be with my Beholder