Al-Ziyara Options

[Siren]

Frangipani blossoms wreathe a legion
of winding paths
all leading to where you lie.
Their heavy, musky-sweet scent
floods the senses,
and prismatic color
warms the appearance
of your mundane home.

My footsteps squish the damp earth
as they weave their way up to you.
My hands open,
offering to your fresh haven
a bouquet of pink lilies.

Driplets form a tiny pool upon my cheek.
I hear your voice whispering softly...
floating through my heart...

My lips move in silent prayer
for your soul's protection
promising to lie beside you
when my day comes.

The air is coaxed to zephyrs
by your hand,
gently swishing around me
in a soft embrace, long forgotten.

Kneeling,
I hold some soil ...
watch it sift through my fingers.
I close my eyes,
breathe in,
breathe out,

and smile again...

I have touched you once more!



Al-Ziyara = The Visit.....

This was written exactly 3 years ago. June 4th 2002

[Guest__*]

Dear Dani,

This is very touching and a beautiful tribute to your love for your father.

As a father I would be very proud to engender this level of affection inmy brood, with one exception : While proud that they care so much for me, I would hope that they rejoice in having had the chance toknow me, rather than grieving for no longer doing so, if you see what I mean.

As to you being a better poet before, while this is very good, so is much of the work you've shown us recently. I'm actually not very good at reading other's work, or, if I can read it, struggle to penetrate the meanings.

But yours I always reach for, because as a writer (prose too) you have a very individual eye, and then a unique tongue to express the sideways-on pictures that you see.

KEEP WRITING !

Love
Alan