The night is cloudy and still. A lone owl hoots in the distance. A sad melancholy sound. The trees are unstirring, the birds asleep. But in the sky a spectacle unfolds. The clouds move across the sky in a slow, dreamy motion. Soft, pale and wispy, they are lit up with a gentle glow. Suddenly, the clouds part and the deep black sky appears. Stars twinkle one by one. And then she emerges, the ethereal bride, half her face in shadows, the other half blushing a soft shade of red. And just as quickly the clouds hasten to cover her face, as if afraid of the evil eye.
But I am patient, I stand in the cold night air, wrapped in a blanket, looking up at the sky. The clouds have taken on a pink glow and glide across the sky like a bridal procession. Then they grant me one more glimpse. The dark sky reappears, more stars twinkle and the bride reveals her face again. The shadows are deeper and the blush has brightened. She laughs at me and I laugh back at her. The blushing bride in a dreamy sky. On the night of the total lunar eclipse. A celestial hide-n-seek. A surreal, moving, memorable experience.
Lucky lucky you, Allah Deen, that you can enjoy these surreal pleasures in your solitude, in your serene surroundings! Give thanks to Allah that you are afforded these pleasures -- a view of these priceless treasures.
ReplyDeleteWe who live amidst the hurly burly of ugly cities -- where the night sky is lit up browny-orange by the city lights and therefore won't reveal its stars -- know how much we miss!
Thank you for a truly evocative description that reminded me of some things I had anjoyed a long long while ago, in what seems like another lifetime.
Warm Regards,
Krish
Visiting you here is always an elevating experience, JJ.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reminding me and inviting me here.