A mellow dream

Whispers ran through the trees

As it arrived, lazy winds at helm

‘Gather your coats, cover your eaves

Wrap up ripe fruits and bees’

Tatters of leaves hung up at dawn

Fluttered and moved with the breeze

At midnight hour it seemed bizarre

For the big bold moon gazed down to fawn

Roosters at daybreak sang unbarred

Boasting high and low their cooing charm

Doves perched on rooftops stirred at rays

Streaming down from the yellow star

Walnuts and apples brimming with life

Flocked with Chinars that quivered at noon

And waves caressing a lone boat ashore

Whistled flute tones as sharp as a knife

A mellow dream, a glorious song

Blissful cicadas and warm harvests

Brown and red as earth comrades

Autumn arrived betrothed all along.

ADEELA HAMEED