By Sheikh Shabir Kulgami
The Black Bird
Over the vales, over the hills flew the black bird;
Defiant and daring in quest of a grain
The tempest destined him into the vale
So dense, so dark longing for light like a traveler for a water drop in a desert/
The vale was a kingdom beyond light-
The kingdom it was so unique
That vice was honey and honey was vice
The sprightly dwellers were proud strangers
The sight of a prey ripped their smarmy façade
It was a race to feather the nest
What could melt the hearts of steel?
Though they pounced upon the natural blessing,
Yet they crossed swords for the king’s hand
The leeches defied the kingdom to be one
A brother’s blood quenched a brother’s thirst
The black bird brooded and bathed in tears
O, for the hour of flight out of the vale!
But the wings had fallen sees the bird
What could he do but brave the storm?
And dwell in the vale alone and calm
Yet, they called him a freakish bird;
Away with you O, black bird!
By Sheikh Shabir Kulgami