PEACE

It is the hour of sunset, and the sky Is robed in purple, as a lovely bride With ruby lips and veil thrown half aside, Waiting for her sweet lord with longing eye. The air is fresh and fragrant, and the sea In smiling joy its boundless bosom heaves, With ringing music of the rising waves; And far from here its weary whisper leaves The broken echo of a world that raves; Its murmur hushed in new-born notes of glee. . . . . . . Lulled by the laughter of the sky and earth, The heart forgets her sorrow and suspends Her breath in silent rapture and descends Upon the soul the vision of its birth. Immeasurable waters! and the sky Immeasurable! and this wondrous light In rainbow smiles of India, all around— Resting and rocking and rolling in delight, And swelling with the mirth of many a sound That fills the ocean’s ears unceasingly. . . . . . . And now the mantle of approaching night Falls gently o’er the drowsy eyes of day; The roseate glow of evening melts away, Softly beyond the western waves, to white. Now o’er the earth a veil of mystery In silver silence all around is spread; And not a sound is heard or sight is seen Except the lingering echoes hither led Of boatmen’s shouts, and distant lights between The mingling bosoms of the sky and sea. . . . . . . The moon hath risen, and the stars appear, And heaven is watching with the eyes of light; And in my heart a newer hope is bright With varied splendours of the atmosphere. The mind is hushed and all its motions cease Of wayward fancy and unquiet thought; And in the happy island of the soul Awakes a joy in radiance unforgot— Which o’er the world’s tumultuous uncontrol Doth smile, and softly whisper, “Here is Peace!” Nanikram Vasanmal Thadani.