Eid Days

E i d . D a y s


I dreamt I shopped to buy some gifts
With family; flew in floating drifts,
Awoken then to taste the dawn,
Battling hard to not sojourn,
Waiting in preceding hours,
As turn by turn we took our showers,
Into the sunrise: read a portion,
Inspired by joy without exhaustion,
Spraying scent and fixing hair
To make it set and stationed there,
Rushing soon to join the flock,
And hear the words to let unlock
The beauty of a mingled morn
Of whistling birds; excitement born,
Then walking past a gathering's gaze,
Settling in to join the praise,
Chanting by the special minutes,
Exalting our Lord and His merits,
Like creatures twittering on their twigs,
Some that fly and some that dig,
Glorify in shadows; small and big,
Once we finish our special prayer
And catch the sermon sending higher,
Rise do all in happy spirits,
Spilling out love in forceful fits,
Egging on the tightened twits,
And grabbing hold in winding trips,
Tender hearts to touch my soul,
Soft and kind as friendly foals,
Emerging from a quieter cloud,
Withstanding surges from the crowd,
A warm influx enticing me,
Drawn into community
To share the beauty; get to know
A cheery face of golden glow,
Lit brighter by my spoken words,
Affect each fellow with the urge,
Lost amidst reunions and
Confused in salutations,
A tap behind me and behold -
A smiling child!
Brushing past those running wild,
Each turn delights me evermore,
Encountering ones I met before,
In cyclic paths of seeking out
Those strongly bound in centre; stout.

At last the food comes flying past,
As hungry eyes stare on; aghast!
Served to all in flossy flurries,
Until we sit, ourselves so hurried!
Nib'ling through the sugary cakes,
As sweet as bonds that never break,
Tasting crisp and savoury bakes,
Brushing off the shimmering flakes.

Breakfasting with family,
Dining so traditionally,
Bending by the barbecue,
Or sitting by the swirling stew,
Standing neath the dripping dew,
Deadened branches shake; anew,
Resting with my friends beside,
Laughing where once I cried,
Each prayer pursued by rememberance;
A blissful scene of soft ambience,
Dreaming in the Mosque so neat,
Visiting a relative to meet,
Sipping tea in glittering shines,
With children racing through our lines,
Floating through refreshing breeze
Sprinkling drizzle so calm with ease,
Caressing my hair; each blow reminding
Of flashbacks that grasp me in uprising,
As though I am an eagle soaring through
A sky so full and clearest blue,
With talons held on tenterhooks
And hopeful eyes and fervent looks,
I am the sparkling drops of rain
That spring and stir each lifeless grain
With cooling strokes of silver swords,
Penetrating defying hordes
With goodness and wondrous ways,
Overwhelmed by bursting waves,
My heart alight and bright ablaze,
Assemblies unceasing; friendships unmatched,
Presents awaiting; surprises unhatched.

Then awakening to the second day
Amidst a room of honeyed rays
Of slanting sunlight; graceful sight,
Proceeding into mellow delight,
Perceiving stories with each bite
Of the sacred sacrifice,
Cooked in curry or rich rice,
Topped off by sweets and ice-cream,
Or tea and biscuits, gaming gleams.
Everywhere I look; a warm embrace,
Eid Mubarak on each smile and face,
Young meet old; lost friends I once knew,
May Allaah accept from us and from you!

Comes the third day of enjoyment,
Blessed are we with merriment
In days so grand and beautified,
One Ummah we are and unified.