FREEDOM’S DAWN

Freedom’S Dawn

This leprous day break, dawn night’s fangs have mangled,
_ This is not that long- looked- for break of day,
Not that clear drawn in quest of which our comrades
Set out, believing that in heaven’s wide void
Somewhere the verge of night’s slow-washing tide,
Somewhere the anchorage of the ship of sorrow.
When they set out, those friends, taking youth’s secret
Pathways, how many hands plucked at their sleeves!
From panting casements of the land of beauty
Soft arms invoked them, flesh cried out to them;
But dearer was the lure of dawn’s bright cheek,
More precious shone her robe of shimmering rays;
Light-winged their longing, feather- light their toil.
But now, word goes the birth of day from darkness
Is finished, wandering feet stand at their goal;
Our leaders’ ways are altering, festive looks
Are all the fashion, discontent reproved.
Yet still no physic works on unslaked eye
Or heart fevered by absence, any cure:
Where did that fine breeze, that the wayside lamp
Has not once felt, blow from- where has it fled
Night’s heaviness is unleassened still, the hour
Of mind and spirit’s ransom has not struck;
Let us go on, our goal is not reached yet.

Poem By:Faiz Ahmed Faiz, St.Alberts College