Author Information
THE "SILVER LINING" ON A FREEZING WINTER'S AFTERNOON
When times are tough
And there is no friend around
It becomes a test of bearing the utmost
For the poetic soul -- sensitive and receptive
More than all the other humans around.
My friends are rare indeed
Time-tested and true
But just as I predicted years ago
In my poem: "The Caravel of Time"
They are now far, far away from me
Scattered at different ends of the earth.
And my beloved, rare woman, though worried
Must not be hassled more...
I am not selfish as her lover true
And this I must always prove
That my troubles must not increase her woes
At least not to the extent that they grieve her more
Than she already is -- I know she is upset, so better be quiet
And expound not my problems and cause wrinkles
Of concern or even a frown which hints that she has been upset
By the challenges I am being confronting with.
Instead, let me try to unwind and relax,
And put off my load of worries to be thought about later...
I am sitting in a park and watching some toddlers playing
As their moms and dads are washing clothes
In the nearby puddle of murky rain water.
O, I am saddened even more at the sight!
But, as my beloved, rare woman, often tells me to practice:
I am doing my best to see the proverbial silver lining
On the dark clouds that are slowly gathering overhead
Hearkening yet another spell of thunderstorm and rain
Also, it will snow, in the hills and mountains, high up from here
And even further beyond, in the Alpine range.
My silver lining is only a prayer to my Lord God Allah:
"O merciful Almighty, do provide some shelter
For the downtrodden and the helpless poor
The under-privileged and those who can't afford
Warm woolen clothing in this death-like cold.
Do You really need to be informed O my loving Almighty?
Can't you see how the meek and the poor are doing
And it is You who are most loving and all-knowing
What is there that is hidden from Your sight?
Show your might, yes O my Lord God, show your might
And let me and the silent sufferers win this fight!"
"Let us not be defeated O my most loving God
Help us in prevailing against the looming odd!" (Aameen/Amen).
(Written by Muhammad Naveed Ahmed/Emmenay on February 9, 2011).
