Sublime Renaissance (In the Shifting Sands of Time)
by Maliha Balala


The East disregarded the powerful rays of 
Her rising Sun, 
While West was still writhing in her 
Twilight - 
Magnified desires, 
Lusts, 
Distractions 
Strident against the lingering echoes of 
Jesus and Moses, 
Humans were busy sacrificing 
Their depths 
Busy adorning empty vessels 
With slumbering souls and 
Eclipsed eyes 

Who unveiled you at a time when 
Your light was the earth's much needed 
Respite? 

Humbled by poignant grounds 
Of orphanage, 
Distressed by humanity's plight 
The universe nurtured your compassion 
In truth you learnt to walk upright 
Your countenance was the earth's 
Sole delight 
Your penetrating vision, heaven's 
Unsullied sight 

Who gave you the keys to unlock 
Enchanting Mysteries carefully 
Guarded by   
The spirit of the night? 

How much you sacrificed coaxing 
Man to adore, 
How the sacred you manifested 
Emanating sparks from your very 
Pores 
On the firmness of your back 
The Oneness of truth you restored 
Within the expansiveness of your chest 
Resonated universal songs 
Inspiring generations upon generations 
To Reality to bow 
In reverence and awe 


Humanity's soul heaved and rose 
A civilization of light 
From darkness reborn 

The East is blinded by the powerful rays 
Of her rising sun 
To the west she turns 
And relearns how fast her Noble 
Spirit she can outrun 
Clinging to fragments and structures 
Words and symbols 
Humanity is once again busy 
So busy 
In the depths of darkness 
Adorning empty vessels 
With slumbering souls 
And Eclipsed eyes 

The earth is weeping sublime 
Revolutions, 
Reaching for the sun 
She is yearning 
Higher illuminations -

Above the din of madness 
The imperceptible Universe is 
Steadily igniting resurrections 
Into the Souls of the wise 

"From the mesmerizing grounds 
Of pathetic demise 
Arise Defiant Spirit - Arise!"