A Lesson Of Life (Miniature Pleasure) Poem by Ahmad Shiddiqi
A Lesson Of Life (Miniature Pleasure)
(dedicated to Mr. Howard Blake, a great composer and conductor)
Just few minutes ago
I dreamt of Pegasus
I saw a white horse
Flew high to orange sky
Did Pegasus report
To the generous angels
About what humankind
Want in their lives?
Just few hours ago
I imagined Gamayun
I touched her soft feathers
Just gave me a genuine feeling
Did Gamayun bring
To the common people
A refreshing nuance
Which relax their minds?
Just few days ago
I drew Medusa
Her wild snakes hair
So frightening, so scary
Did Medusa try
To attack warriors
Who save their countries
Or seek luxurious prizes?
If I really can understand
What children need and wish
Why I should ask many questions?
O Stonehenge! O Pyramid!
Why don’t I free them
To breathe, to smile?
Perhaps all they need, they wish
Just a miniature cookie
If I really can feel
What victims need and wish
Why I should investigate them?
O Borobudur! O Petra!
Why don’t I give them
First aid and medical treatments?
Perhaps all they need, they wish
Just a miniature care
If I really can concern
What refugees need and wish
Why I should register them?
O Bryggen! O Djémila!
Why don’t I offer them
Some foods, and some drinks
Perhaps all they need, they wish
Just a miniature service
Erik Satie’s Gymnopedie
Resounds in our hearts
Why just few simple tunes
Can remove dreadful moments?
Claude Debussy’s Reverie
Reechoes in our souls
Why just few humble melodies
Can remove terrifying dreams?
Maurice Ravel’s Pavane
Recycles in our feelings
Why just few noble harmonies
Can remove desperate memories?
O charming Amsterdam!
Can your rivers and canals
Give me some inspirations
To deliver miniature pleasure?
O enchanting Mumbai!
Can your glorious ceremonies
Give me some motivations
To share miniature pleasure?
O dazzling Cancún!
Can your beaches and charms
Give me some new ideas
To spread miniature pleasure?
Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings
Still flows into deeper prayers
O Stephen Crane! O Ernest Hemingway!
You’ve also already gave us pleasures
Edvard Grieg’s Peer Gynt Suites
Still surrounds on wider whisper
O Henrik Ibsen! O Knut Hamsun!
You’ve also already gave us pleasures
Sergei Prokofiev’s Vision Fugitives
Still soars in stronger will
O Nikolaj Gogol! O Leo Tolstoy!
You’ve also already gave us pleasures
Edward Elgar’s Enigma Variations
Still captures innocence senses
O Joseph Addison! O Charles Dickens!
You’ve also already gave us pleasures
(inspired by Henryk Górecki’s Music)
Going around the world to render services to the needy. This shows your kind heart and feelings for the poor and refugees.
Being familiar with (thought not especially fond of) Gorecki's music, I can see how it would inspire you to write such a meaningful and deeply profound poem, Ahmad. One thing I have noticed about Gorecki is that younger people seem drawn to this music, while we older music lovers have not quite warmed up to him yet. In this fine, globe spanning write, you have addressed issues which have given all of us considerable concern. We adults all seem to overlook the fact that even children can have dreams, desires, and wants, too. I like how you wrapped this poem around music and art, as well as some of the more fascinating places in the world. Carl.
sir, ........this one is really beautiful...but it is too long for my liking....great write! !
I see you really like music and the classics.Wonderful poem a ten from me.
BEAUTIFUL. WELL WRITTEN AND FILLED WITH AWARENESS AND WISDOM. AHMAD, TO ME, A MINIATURE PLEASURE OFTEN IS THE PURITY OF EXCHANGED SMILES FROM THE EYES. WATCHING THE LONG SLENDER BRANCHES OF A TREE GENTLY SWAYING IN THE WIND IS AN UPPER. HAVING MY MUSCOVY DUCK AT THE PARK LAKE RECOGNIZE ME, COME TO ME, AND FEED FROM MY HAND IS A BLOOD-RACING PLEASURE. SEEING A FATHER OPENLY LOVE AND ENGAGE WITH HIS CHILDREN IS A MIND-BLOWER. LOTS OF SADNESS AND WOE DOES SURROUND US, BUT IF WE REACH OUT, HELP, AS YOU REMIND US, OUR DOING SO GIVES PLEASURE/RESCUE AND WE ARE REWARDED BECAUSE WE CARED ENOUGH TO GIVE OF OURSELVES WITHOUT JUDGING, CONDEMNING OR ASKING FOR THANKS. THANK YOU, AS I'VE SAID BEFORE, FOR ENLIGHTENING US VIA YOUR SUPERLATIVE IMAGES AND THOUGHTS. CAROL
we all ask questions to understand what is life and what is living. life is a puzzle where we are expected to find our own answers and way out. Good luck! ! !
i am not familiar with the music, but ilike the pome regardless i i do not like then that long, it is a very good one
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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4/30/2024 1:38:41 PM # 1.0.0.1119
Your history is your knowledge Ahmad..........like an historian! !