Poet's Corner: The Emerald Mosque on the Hill by Raza Ali Hasan

The Emerald Mosque on the Hill by Raza Ali Hasan

In the lull, the afternoon sun warms
the linseed field. The flowers are quiet,

their bright subdued in the green
while the mind wanders

to the emerald mosque upon the hill,
built around a flowing spring,

the easy absolutions and ablutions
in that mosque where the spring water

has been let loose to meander
over marble courtyards and inner chambers,

across the geometric, green-tiled floor that
cools the heels of the faithful.

My Poem: Original: The first sign of spring

Title: The first sign of spring
Rating: Gen
Poetic form: Pantoum
Length: 172

the first sign of spring, the first sign of spring
hear the first cuckoo sing, hear the first one sing
like bells, the birds ring, like church bells, they ring
a new song to sing, a new everything

hear the first cuckoo sing, hear the first one sing,
the hive comes alive, goodbye winter’s sting
a new song to sing, a new everything
hark the new chorus of honeybee’s wing

the hive comes alive, goodbye winter’s sting,
there’s crocus to kiss, sweet nectar to bring,
hark the new chorus of honeybee’s wing
in the breeze, buds swing, the bright bluebells swing

there’s crocus to kiss, sweet nectar to bring
as blossom motes cling to legs thin as string
in the breeze, buds swing, the bright bluebells swing
‘pon soft arrow’s fling, the wild perfumes wring

as blossom motes cling to legs thin as string
like bells, the birds ring, like church bells, they ring
‘pon soft arrow’s fling, the wild perfumes wring
the first sign of spring, the first sign of spring