Poetry CornerSalam, the antiquery [Archives:2005/884/Education]
DR ARUNACHALAM
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH
UNIVERSITY SEIYUN
HADHRAMOUT
(Seiyun, 10 April 2005)
The night was very pleasant.
The spring in Seiyun is unique
It treats you to a rich fare
Of lovely embraces of cool winds
Cooler and softer, a sensation
More sensational than the
Timid embraces of a coy love
The caresses of a devoted wife
The spontaneous hug of a selfless
Mother when she sees
A heavy depression of
Tech savvy times descending on you.
The walks are ideally laid
On the edges and at the centre.
Shara Al Jessair boasts of very
Nice walks.I simply love them.
I go for strolls in the nights.
Ideal time. You're neither alone
Nor interminably intruded.
An occassional passerby or
A man behind a wheel greets:
“Dr. Aruna! Salaam alaikkum
Khaif Halak? Thamam?”
They greet, enquire, no mere
Rhetorics. Just wave a hand,
Throw a smile and proceed.
Not much nuisance.
Very affectionate people.
There are cars, cars, and cars.
But they don't interrupt your
Contemplations.Yes, cars
This brings to my mind
Mr.Salem Al Habshi.
What great sacrifices!
How much suffereing!
To build up that private collection.
How much it might have cost!
Buying all those antique machines.
Right from former British Governor,
To former Sultans; vintage cars,
Battle trucks of the First War
From Yemenis, Indians, Americans,
Germans,
But I think that man is sad
Disillusioned today.
No appreciation,
No recognition,
Love's labour lying idle
Wasted like rain on dessert?
A nation's past is its strength
Enables us to look from past
To present to future.
The relics of the past are not
Mere trinkets or memorablia
Of a bygone civilization.
They teach us values, guide
Us in our future endeavours.
They're constant reminders
Of an era of thraldom under aliens.
Public museum Salem's cars
Must be preserved in for
Future generations.
The public, young and old,
Students, tourists, antiquaries)
All will be enthused.
Every human endeavour needs
A boost, encouragement, impetus.
Seiyun spring entices my stroll;
Salem's soul is his antique cars.
They shall not go unnoticed.
Lest man will lose his roots,
Let government do something.
But who can blow the conch?
——
[archive-e:884-v:14-y:2005-d:2005-10-10-p:education]
