A Wanderer’s Story Five (Chaconne Gala) Poem by Ahmad Shiddiqi

(dedicated to Ms. Danielle de Niese, a gifted soprano)

though darkness may fall
upon our hearts and days
we keep the faith and go on
in distant steppe of Central Asia

we were born
seeking our destiny
we still chase chances
we become glittering wind

those sensuous mermaids of purple sea
sing magically the sojourner songs
why all love descend to us, dear?
with you I face this wild world

if we learn intensely that
there is a dream, a hope
to be had there correctly
we have to be confident

I shall follow you patiently, my love
to the ends of the misty Tropic Forests
we dive bravely to depths of Pacific Ocean
we surely conquer lofty peaks, and dark caves