In the dark - hours before dawn -
a bird sings...
or is it a cricket?
A messenger with a foreign tongue.
I cannot understand it.
Or, perhaps, the message
isn't all that translatable.
Sound or silence?
It is quiet now,
But, though I do not understand it,
I wish it would make its sound
once more.
19 September 2026
~3:55 AM
I know what it feels like to be
visually impaired
have been losing my sight for years
I am not blind yet
two operations have helped
but it is difficult for day day
so, I walk with friends when out
go shopping with friends
and yet, still go to dance class
I use my memory
of the dance moves
the shape of the dance floor
aware of my space always
I let the music lead
four steps this way
three that way
two forward
one backward
I feel the others dancers
close to me
so, I dance free of any fear . . .
Shine in the dark
light up your heart.
show your talent and be bright
light your candle to make a spark.
Never stay in the dark
turn on your light and be a star
Enter in sight and be a spark.
No one will see your passion in the dark
open the door and place a mark.
Rise with confident and follow your heart
Only the light will bring you to the start
Darkness has no clearance
light has all the appearance
keep your light and you will forever beat the dark.
JASMINE IN THE DARK
Like jasmine through the cracked walls, it grew,
Freedom bloomed at midnight, 1947, anew.
With blood of millions, martyrs paved the way,
With prayers of countless, buried stars that stay.
Hope was dancing on the soil of peace,
Through struggle and fire, it would never cease.
Green light rose on the map of the world,
A flag of faith and courage unfurled.
Red ink wrote it on history’s page,
With hearts of hope and a lion’s rage.
A child was born with Allah’s blessing light,
A home for Muslims, standing for what’s right.
To soldiers brave who gave their all,
To martyrs whose names we still recall.
Through trials, storms, and darkest night,
Pakistan stands — a symbol of light.
79 years on, our pride won’t fade,
This jasmine nation was born, and made.
So clamorous in clouds of gray,
to shake once tranquil bliss astir;
reluctantly, it joined the fray,
a tumult tango beckoned her.
On every churning white-capped wave,
where breaths in howling echoes dwell,
they dance ashore and misbehave
where nature's fates forbade, foretell.
Fandango spins upon the seas
where tempests tease a tropic storm,
what once was born a peaceful breeze
now grows in yield, now comes the swarm.
Infatuation's flashing glances
aroused the night beyond the fears
to where once heedful caution dances
to where a love forgets the tears.
So brief, it seems, excitement dwells,
upon the crest of raptured swells...
I'd rather no one understand
Then understand without me
I'd rather be just as blind
Then left alone in the dark
I'd rather no one see the full picture
Then be the only one left with but a sliver
in the dark i dream
of another time not so long ago
when i was happy
The emphysema of night presses into our lungs
and I walk towards you like a thought I should not keep
no glow - only the purple bruise of air between us
your silence is jagged, honed as a blade
somehow, this view left me ... dismantled, piece by unseen piece
fear feels domestic here, like folded linen in a locked room
I dissolve before I can speak out loud
and still, I step closer because trust is the only light we are allowed
and when we finally reach for one another, it is not sight that holds us -
but the quiet certainty that neither of us will let go
In a garden of deliciousness,
exitedly we'd meet
at midnight when the only light
was the moon glow in your eyes so sweet,
and I, starry-eyed, would wait -
drunken with love for you
like the well-watered roses by the gate.
The love that blossomed there seemed so true,
but somehow that view left me; youth’s best hours
are but memories of fragrant flowers.
I saw them walking in the street light’s glare.
Space between them as if they were strangers.
They turned into an unlit street, and then,
The space closed, his hand slipped round her shoulder.
And somehow this view left me wondering,
Was this forbidden love I’d chanced upon?
Did each have another waiting at home?
Was she the boss’s daughter, he the clerk?
They stopped, embraced and shared a secret kiss.
Tactfully, I passed on the other side.
Sponsor - Netta Onclaud
Snapshots Of A Night Scene poetry contest
Date of poem 17th May 2026
My dreams are always about you
Today, I will walk you through one
You and I, meeting in the dark
Letting ourselves out while hiding too
Where you were sitting beside me
Holding my hand and comforting me
And somehow, this view left me speechless
As if I had known you for years
And I was in tears after reading your eyes
As I was meeting you in the dark after a long while
Meet me in the dark
under the starlit summer night
my tropical lover for the night
a Caribbean dream
scented of coconut and rum
with a masculine body to wrap my arms around
take me in your arms
to the sand we shall fall
only the granules will know
of our secret meeting in the dark
Meeting in the dark,
away from prying eyes.
Away from wagging tongues,
spewing evil venom like a snake.
Our love must go on,
for we are soul mates.
The lights look like diamonds,
your diamond eyes match.
Somehow this view left me,
totally speechless.
The nights grows pale, stars in dead gray,
the luscious trees waving away-
with boughs so plump,ripeness is due,
though dreamy strolls light up the bay.
How the breeze wiggles, toes are bare
on sandy coasts, I feel restless
then 'round I go to a town's fair,
And there, I meet her-- nonchalant
Somehow, this view leaves me uncertain,
Would she care still after summers, absent?
Snapshots Of A Night Scene
Nette Onclaud, Sponsor
May 16, 26
We talked like tension hanging in the air
your eyes on me like you already dared
One slow smile, one step too near
and suddenly all I felt was heat and fear
Then your lips touched mine slow, deep, rough,
one kiss alone was dangerous enough.
My breath caught hard, my hands held tight,
already losing myself that night.
Your touch moved lower along my skin,
waking every fire deep within.
Soft teasing kisses down my neck,
leaving my whole body breathless.
The way your mouth explored me slow
made shivers through my body flow.
Fingers tangled tight in your hair,
soft little moans filling the air.
Bodies grinding closer still,
moving with impatient thrill.
Every tease just built the need,
making my whole body plead.
You pulled me close against your frame,
breathing low while saying my name.
And when our bodies moved as one,
the room itself felt undone.
Breathless gasps and shaking thighs,
heat reflected in our eyes.
Two bodies lost in burning flame,
wanting more with every wave.
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