The Happy Haven Poem by Matloob Bokhari

THE HAPPY HAVEN
Matloob Bokhari


The Happy Haven, beaming with blossoms.
River meandered through it, bedecked with trees,
Whose branches hung down like locks of damsels.
River, with petals, sent forth fragrance all around.
Boys played sports; girls whirled with lyre.
Elders amused themselves with tales of youth.
People worshipped together, dined together.
The book taught them to shun seven deadly sins.
Lo, there came three word magicians to preach.
Spoke glory of truth to those who lived in truth.
Then, interpretations of truth brewed differences,
Which forked valley into three distinct factions.
Sank it into quagmire of conflicting thoughts.
Sectarian bouts became the order of the day.
Play land turned into a fierce battlefield
Where people thronged to bicker over trifles,
And leapt at each other like angry wolves.
Wounded men crying breathed their last,
Leaving war-orphans to lead a lonely life.
Gusty wind of hatred dried up the river.
The Happy Haven became a killing field.
Green hay faded; buds ceased to blossom.
All this transformed valley into a wasteland.
Then, came a spiritual surgeon to heal wounds.
Who said: “Of all, religious impostors are worst.
They talk lies, walk in lies and live in lies.
Let love roll down here like a flowing stream.
Lord appeals you all to hold the Universal Love.
This brotherhood of yours is a single brotherhood.
Bury differences; stop following interpretations.
Restrain your desires. Live and let others live.”
Listening, they put all interpretations to torch.
Clouds brought rain which put down fire,
And injected a new life into the valley.
Birds, men, animals wore a charming smile,
Love, sweet love was fragrant in the free air!