Once a model of peace.
I would braid daisies
into her hair
while she hummed
sweet melodies
with the birds in a meadow clearing
deep in the forest.
Forgotten by most
protected by us.
We would light candles
under the midnight sky
with fire in her eyes
burning bright as the stars
so very far above us.

But the still burning embers
caught the trees on fire
in the late of summer.
Leaves raging ablaze with colors.
Yellow, red, and orange
until all the green was gone and
her chorus of birds flew south.
The fire trailed behind her
as she left the clearing
in search of her birds.

Onwards she marched
never to look back to the days of daisies
and humming with the birds.

Now the clearing is silent
covered with a sheet of snow and ice.
Step one, Step two
to the beat of Uncle Sam’s drum.

I've dipped my feet in the water of you but still the ocean remains
And when I look out as the moon pulls the tide I burrow my head and restrain

How can I swim if I do not know where your current will lead me to stay
But the wind in my hair and your salt on my skin keep asking me gently to say -

stay.

The wandering minstrel,
sung a song that kept hidden,
deep in his lonely heart,
it touched the dancing girl so much,
she sprang up on her feet unprompted,
and danced the way the song spoke to her.

Oh! it was marvelous and she was swift
like a lightening during monsoon,
there was a subtle absence that heightened her presence,
her admirers, a whole lot, was caught by surprise,
strangely, they got agitated,
as her move was unexpected,
that stirred a hornet's nest
which, then  led to a melee of sorts,
every one was running helter- skelter,
while the whirlwind swirled around,
the girl still danced like possessed.

Only now they saw the Dervish,
with long white hair and flowing dress,
while he gently circled, his aura bright
created a dazzling circle of light.
It became difficult to see what happens,
to most, without the inner light.

**To the few with opened inner eyes
it was revealed at once thus:
the swirling dervish, the ecstatic dancer
and the wandering minstrel lost in  his song
went beyond,
became one in spirit.