[nukkad] Verse

["HOMI KAIKOBAD" <>]

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AND THEY SAT HAND IN HAND

In that green bower they sat, in the hushed hours of fading day
She on the oak bench hewn by hands long dead, he by her feet.

The man seemed older by a score of years and therefor somber
She had seen twenty winters less and was content to sing to herself
Softly as a much loved woman will, in snatches of melody and afterthought
Running her fingers through his hair, now at this, now at that graying curl.

Evenings in the mountains come hesitantly, as though not willing to have the
day leave
And there is a mingling of fading Sun's light with the young stars which
emerge.

Something strange happens to nature when lovers who are wise sit in her
bowers
Divergences and contrasts become one and confluent, and the earth sighs and
murmurs.

They seemed to say little and speak much, and in the silences whole
civilizations seemed to pass
And render to the autumn leaves all they took and fought over and won and
lost

She leans over and embraces him, apparently without reason, and kisses his
ear
He moves ever so imperceptibly nearer, content and quiet and with nothing to
say.

She seems to be whisper something in his ear, and the while kissing the
locks
He smiles and settles his capable hands over her sandaled feet to keep them
warm.

Of a sudden there is a stir in the boughs to the side, and someone seems to
stand there
The air is now cold and the little bird noises in the trees silenced, as
though Death stood there.

"I am Death, and I came because there was a stir in my Realm, and I came to
see the cause."
The man, now straight in his back and moving to shield his love, says, "And
have you seen?"

Death; "Aye. And what be this which I feel between you and she? What is this
called?".
The man, now standing and completely shielding his love, "It is nothing you
would understand."

Death: "But why does it torment me and my creatures? They are in tumult
whenever
they see you."
The man: "It is called Love. It also kills as you do, but gifts life in it's
wake, and a reason to live."

Death, now advancing, almost frenzied, "Then I must kill that which I cannot
have, I must bereave".
The woman, stepping out from behind him, advances and says, "Let me
kiss you and embrace you."

Death, recoiling: "Why do I fear when you say this?"
She: "Because Death is only death, and cannot love."

Death advances, stops short, frowns, seems sad, and withdraws.
The evening shadows now turn to dark, and a mist silently advances

The two rise, he covers her with his long coat. She opens it wide to envelop
him also. They approach the wide faced manor where many windows shed light
upon the groomed gardens in the front.

As they stand in the doorway, she reaches to kiss him on the chin. He, tamed
and indulgent, receives this as much as a token of good behavior.

She: "Were you afraid as Death stood there?".
He: "Yes, only for you."

She: "Silly!".

They enter and the many paneled glass door shuts behind them.

They are home.

[Excerpted from Leif and Life. By Dr. Homi Kaikobad. Copyright 2000. All
Rights Reserved]




































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