The Autumn of Life

Thanks for reading my poem and for your encouraging comments. I am thankful to you for your appreciation. You are right, my poems do contain a shade of philosophy, spiritualism and mysticism. I write with the sole purpose of satisfying my spirit of giving. I have a belief and a dream. I see people as virtuous, kind and loving. I believe that love of mankind is the best form of prayer. You can't love the Creator without loving his creation. I abhor hatred, prejudice, dishonesty, lust, bullying, cruelty, war and strife. My poems are voices of my soul. I do write in Urdu language too which is the second largest language in the world after Cantonese. I have written nearly three hundred Ghazals in Urdu. I have translated only a few of them in English. This poem is my original write in English. -Mohammad A Quatrain from my book Rubaiyat of Josh Malihabadi -A Drop and the Ocean: My cravings untapped visions bring And lips melody of horizons sing For long, I'm sowing the seed of thoughts Wait until the new trees of knowledge spring

Dear Rahbar! How true you are when you say "Man cannot forget his roots". Something happens to me when I remember my childhood that was spent in the paternal and maternal household. It torments me when I recall the image of my grandfather's affectionate face. Many such enchanting memories squeeze my heart. Last year I went to Bangalore for my right knee replacement surgery. The air I breathed on landing in Bombay infused in me a sense of belonging. In Bangalore my friends treated me with so much love, affection and honour that may be expected from own brothers sisters and mother. This too has left indelible impressions on my heart. Bangladesh is where my mother's grave lies. Thus this country also is close to my heart. The soil of Bangladesh emits the fragrance of love. I can't write any more. I have written the foregoing lines with tears in my eyes which I have managed not to shed. -Mohammad A Quatrain from my book Rubai'yat of Josh Malihabadi - A Drop and the Ocean: Last night memory ushered the moment my parets died And for them my longing heart cried A faint whisper poured in my ears "O my child! On your sadness we be sacrificed."

You have a heart that moves- a quality invaluable. Your quote from the Bible is highly educative. It spells many virtues. May we derive inspiration from it and build the world around us based on the teachings of the Holy Book. -Mohammad A Quatrain from my book Rubai'yat of Josh Malihabadi -A Drop and the Ocean: When will the garden, flame of roses bring? When Jasmine will blow and nightingale sing? When in ecstasy, people will their robes tear? Tell me, when will be the advent of spring

Thanks for your elegant appreciation of my work. I am grateful to you for your thoughtful and higly encouraging comments. -Mohammad A Quatrain from my book Rubaiyat of Josh Malihabadi -A Drop and the Ocean: We switch the dark night into moonlit With straws fabric of a garden knit Each particle of the path with the gift of imagination We turn into the market of Egypt

What you have said about life and soul is so true. One must not lose heart and wait with patience for relief from the Savior's loving hands. That is where succour comes from. I had the Total Knee Replacement Operation of my right knee at HOSMAT in Banglore, India. They have done an excellent job. I have no difficulty in walking or ascending and descending stairs. How did you break your knee 2 year's back and what surgery did you take? You belong to the medical world. You must have availed the best treatment available and there shouldn't be any difficulty in managing stairs, if you are not over weight. -Mohammad

Thank goodness you are well, though not 100%. This level medical world has not attained so far. Whatever be the attainment will it ever be possible to enter God's domain? It is gratifying that you are able to run again. Keep it up but avoid a fall. Many years ago I was a member of Polo Club in Kaduna, Nigeria. In the initial training period of the new players the trainers taught how to fall from the horse back. That is in the game of Polo. In normal life one doesn't receive such a training and doesn't know when he will slip and fall. Those that have gone through knee surgery have to be extra careful. May God protect us all. -Mohammad