RETURN TO KHAIRPUR

Thy greens grow pearls, thy sunsets roses fair; My wandering heart returned to stay with thee, In shades of eve, to breathe thy cooler air, That brings refreshment, promised long to me. I love thy water-wheels, that sing to sleep The playful twilight, Autumn’s moody child, The flames that from thy fields and pinfolds leap Like lights that lead the hearts by Pan beguiled. I love thy country maids with water-jars Whose graceful coveys rural charms enhance. I love thy palms that gaze at distant stars, And upward draw the earth-encumbered glance. I love thy lake with silver trailing flowers, Whose wavelets fondly hold the starry skies; The moon, entranced by calm of midnight hours, In violet bed on lily-petals lies. No more the eyes of homesick longings pine To watch the sphere remote where stars abound, But, like thy lake that holds its love divine, My heart within hath longed-for heaven found. Elsa Kazi.