Dhola-Maru

Striding soft shadows on rippled dunes
Down this one, and around the other
We saw Dhola and Maru--with surprise
Shared by both the seen and the seer.

Eyes reflecting the sparkle of the morning sun
In their brown, lustrous coats they stood
Together, harmoniously as one
Guarding the beauty of their realm, in unison.

Pity! the gazelles saw us and they ran away
Leaving in their wake-a standing image
Of love and belonging amidst the dunes
Thank you God: for that beautiful vision-'twas a privilege.

Up and down and around more of the golden dunes
We were aware, spirits of more twosomes
Were there to observe: Sheerie-Farhad,
Heer and Ranjha and Radha and Krishna:
The desert was alive with love's immortal tunes.


Riding the scented breeze was the music of eternal devotion,
That was Meera, engrossed in her search for Manmohan.



(c) Vijay A, December 2004.