A Still Bird Poem by Showkat Ahmad Wani

A weary bird on barren branch so still
Upon an icy tree, his chums have gone
To fates, not though by trust in wings, we rise,
But chance of worthy winds, and he was barred
The inward bird perceives the darkened sky,
The darkened horses gallop through the shade
Through evening's depth to cages of the night,
He stands and waits with thought within his head
Is hidden deep in frozen wings of him,
My dear, give ear—the owls in darkness cry
May end thy breath and call the imps of night
May snatch thy soul and lift thy will to hell,
And pride may blend with dust and stiffened eyes
A vasty gaze may drop to depths, this form
Of early rise may burn in cage at last,
The stoutest heart may quiver swift and fast
In shade of fear, now give thy hand to hope
Let's join the journey, lift thy wings to fly.
In seas of dark, the wall of night must fall
With sturdy wings and will, let's seek the dawn.
(03 Feb,2016)