Learning to Breathe

UNWEBBED With cool dew waking up the drowsy woods, Dazed by the perfume of jasmines divine, Amidst a lush labyrinth of lilting leaves, Lies a flimsy dwelling of glassy white. Eight fingers crawl between the latticed blinds Expanding their fortress, conquering woods, Circling, ensnaring the innocent fly, Trapped within blades of the hypnotic web. Pleased with her might, tarantella performed, A commanding glory, to her is due - But a little songbird comes bolting through, The fortress vanquished, dauntlessly it flew. Credulous be that flies to traps and death, With wide wings, rather soar to challenge threats. - Maryam Kaleem

A MOTHER'S WINTER I pray to God you never know, My prayers are never answered though. The winter's dark and dreary here, All that's wicked is masked with snow. See you yonder a man so queer Who wanders far when death is near? Is that the Reaper on the lake, From whom I've fled all through the year? With frightful fear I sit and shake, My child I've made a huge mistake. I pray my errors you do sweep, And flee this winter's frost and flake! Hurry now, child, into the deep, Glance not behind, my promise keep. Shelter find and a place to sleep While with God's angels must I sleep. - Maryam Kaleem If you find the poem vaguely familiar, it's because I've used the end-rhymes from the famous poem 'Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening' by Robert Frost, and have re-written the rest of the poem. This was a fun experiment. Hope you like it! Find the original poem here:  https://www.poetryf...

A WARRIOR IN OBSCURITY Bold and brave I had pretended to be, Stepping onto the winding road, now doomed. A well of youthful arrogance in me, Brushing away all the terrors that loomed. Brandishing mighty swords for Honour's sake, With scholars and saints, befriending Wisdom. Peace with one, war with another I'd make, Thus all hailed the guardian of the kingdom! Now I lay weak and old, my pride shattered. Now I stare into the Void - blinded, maimed. Now I am forgotten, a voice unheard. Now I am no more the spirit untamed. Give this wearied soul a sip of Lethe, Deliver me from vile senility! - Maryam Kaleem

REVENGE A feather floating in the wind she is. Not knowing what will face her, not knowing What she will become. All but left to chance. Now, a sunny sprite dancing in the breeze, With gentle footsteps mingling with the grass, With keen eyes searching for dewy clovers, With melodies in rhythm with the woods. Content, happy, with a curious mind! Yet - storm clouds sent from Hell gather with force, Plunging into darkness those gaping eyes Blinded by talons of fire and frost! That tender soul no more shall thrive, but be Cursed by the wrath of the bird wrought with blades Whose feathers she once plucked and plucked away. - Maryam Kaleem

Drops of sunshine pour Through a web of dewy leaves. Sweet Manna for me.

AN ANGEL'S PLIGHT Racing through, headlong into the darkness, No reason to lighten the heavy brow. Encompassed by noise, disease and madness, While in unsteady hands lies a stretched bow. Though I am sure to miss the devil's mark, I'm obsessed with a burning desire To let go, let my arrow pierce the shark And watch the villainous world burn in fire. Pause! take a moment and let me restrain This hand chiseled in the Almighty's name. Must I sin and have my wings plucked in vain Only to play the devil at his game? Racing through, headlong into the darkness, A heart yearning for rays of forgiveness. - Maryam Kaleem

SHE FLED Days and weeks slipped by, And the Little Child with her dreams ran. On the endless Road of Adventure, With every step, she sang. She befriended the birds, She befriended the lambs. In her innocent, innocent world, Cobras didn't have fangs! Then dawned on her the dread of the night. Where would she hide herself? Where would she take her respite? Afraid was she on hearing the wolves howl, Who made these creatures, so furious, so foul? How would she escape from times of fear, When the tiger's growl was drawing so near! 'Think, O Little One, Think with all your might. All fear shall disappear If only you kindle the light.' Fire, she whispered, Fire is the key. Fire shall get me, Out of my misery! With strength and courage she kept on her fight, From start to end, she never lost her sprite. She relaxed in a cave after her long day, And thought of the miracle that had come her way. Did Fire speak to me? Did Fire itself guide me? She looked ...

THE CALL OF THE OCEAN The sound of the gushing waves, Brought a smile to her young face. Running to the window, She witnessed Nature's grace. She placed her hands against the window pane, Far away, she noticed something coming her way. Wiping her tears, she gazed on, earnestly, At the Ocean spread all around - O what a wonderful scene! The rays of the sun danced on the ship's mast, Just like a net, on the ship - it's Light it had cast. Curiosity took over the little girl's mind, Behind the glass, is it not beauty that she'll find? In the dark of the night she listens to that Voice, Every night it says to her: Make Your Choice. With open arms, I call out to you, I yearn for dreamers, just like you. The waters receded, giving her a chance to speak, Ocean, do not be mistaken, for my dream is weak. Never will I be able to break these bonds, The view from here is more than I could want. On this the Ocean rose once more, Trying to move across the shore. Don't yo...

THE CALL OF THE WILD Loud goes the call of the wild, A cry, sometimes scary for the little child. Far away it is, beyond the setting sun, Deep inside, where the adventurous souls run. Can I ever go with them, The little child wonders. And at the same time, at the Thunder - she shivers. The little child feels that It's all a little game. But the Elders say - in it There is nothing so tame. Can I ever live my dream, The little child wonders. However hard it may seem, She knows, she can still do wonders. The Day comes around, She begins to creep. Without a sound, She is ready to leave. In the wild, she disappears, In the wild of her dreams. For all the coming years, She can do as she'd please. The ray of light touches her soft face, Her pretty eyes open, Unleashing her grace, Her determination - unbroken. The world around, although not mild, Seems sweet to her, Despite the dangerous rides. Flawless and free, in her world she glides, For after all - she is none But the litt...