Monday, 21 March 2022

Three Ghazal Poems for Nowruz by Adèle Ogiér Jones

 


Ghazal poems for Nowruz:

 

For a new day

 

The wind blows loud across the ocean sheet,

this early morn

As daytime’s chorus lingers doubtful still

this early morn.

 

Here down along the bayside sand blows wild

Where walkers face backwards to the land

this early morn.

 

The ancient pines grown late where old men sit

Tall standing sentinels discerning all

this early morn.

 

Sunrise casts its silken shawl on ocean

Calm ripples now the hostile storm has passed

this early morn.

 

Birdsong swells to greet the day now forming

Unknown outcome, hopeful promises

this early morn.

 

I dream again of years passed long before

The youthful songs remembered silently

                                                            this early morn.

 

Recollections of the mountain top

Where peaceful clouds and snow lay blanketed

                                                            that early morn.

 

The love time song and story still I tell

A warming tale to make life smile again

                                                            this early morn.


 

For Nowruz

 

Wild wind knocks loud on windows closed firm

this new year day

While workers depart on duties named essential

this new year day

 

No meeting today on the town’s public square

Pandemic eclipsed, still, a carefree year pledged

                                                            on new year day

 

With Spring come again and birds returned

Now wind has calmed with trees again still

                                                            to greet a new year day

 

The early hum of traffic gathers speed along the road

Near walkers hailing taxis weaving as always

                                                            this new year day

 

Celebrations prepared with hyacinths and tulips

Cooked gifts, water vases filled to banish weariness

                                                            this new year day

 

Children sing in glad best attire coloured

With memories of last year forgotten, this Nowruz

                                                            this new year day

 

Neighbours greet warmly all in surrounds, remembering

Only good things and friendship on another

                                                            Nowruz day.


 

On a silk road

 

Paths through the mountains and along rugged tracks

on an old silk road

West from the land where fine patterns traded

along a silk road

 

Caravans travelled the ways they had learnt

Loaded with stories and ways which were new to others

                                                            along a silk road

 

Customs and languages unheard to the west

Travelled with merchants and their glad entourage

                                                            along the silk road

 

Caravanserai for safety, with bartering nights enriched

By sounds and colours, music patterns from lands

                                                            found along the silk road

 

Where woven silks shimmered in tune with songs

Carpets with silk scenes woven with fleece from old lands

                                                            along the silk road.

 

New ways of seeing, unique cultures treasured

Valuable like friendship, travelling together

                                                            along the silk road.




A member of The Poetry Society (UK), Adèle writes creatively as Ogiér Jones. She has four collections of poems, including Afghanistan – waiting for the bus (Ginninderra Press, 2007) and a trilogy of chapbooks on the art of Swiss artist Anni Zindel, published with Picaro Poets (2021). She appears in numerous anthologies, e-poetry- and journals. These poems are written as ghazal, remembering Nowruz, new day, new year and the start of spring.


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