Ceremony Poem by Aftab Alam

Nightingales were enchanting in a garden
Near, oak like gigantic tree, then of sudden
My Aghaz came with others and informed
Papa; a lovely Nightingale, dead, calmed
Lying there and over which flock of his kin
Hovering, kissing, singing, praying without sin.
“For funeral ceremony, a call, singing a dirge”.


Brought by them, three leaves from the tree,
Dug the grave, variety of petals they gather
Put the leaf, sprinkled the petal over that
And laid the angel on that with mirth, together
Again covered the corpse with petals and
Covered with other leaves and tied with bark
Gaily and softly they lifted and buried down
Moan for seconds and All said, ”You merge”

Seeing the ceremony merrily I laughed and whispered,
Such a holy death! Are they rehearsing for me! A surge

Note (Aghaz is my youngest son, Full name:
Sheikh Aghaz Aftab, he is 6 years old)