cactusflower
muted
still
Arabian desert,
yellow flower,
reminds the sun it is merely a star
to revive her
open her eyes
to the placid
sweet sky,
effortlessly
earlymorning doves
know her scent
tamarind blossoms
in deepest conviction
with all sincerity,
they gather up the raindrops
preciously,
and sip each one,
with dignity
cactusflower
Arabian dawn
yellow dawn,
picture of veiled
mystery,
classical Raga brown hands
intently turning pages of prophetic verse
weaving harmonium spells
memorizing
each yellow flower
the sun awakens,
while yellow dawn
ignites the sky,
Arabian dawn,
stillness,
listening for the whisper of
her petals opening,
waiting for a vision
another presence of dawn,
as the new day
weds the ancient Arabian nighttime,
and the gentle tabla Arabian breezes
melt away like glory
through her fertile black desert garden
cactusflower
perfectflower
ragawoman
patiently listens
waits for desert shadows to
pass by her window,
and at last
she will unveil her eyes
in the break of Arabian dawn
Robert Feldman: Born in Paterson, New Jersey, Robert Feldman was inspired at an early age by members of Paterson’s literary tradition. He has organized and participated in poetry readings, produced and hosted a community issues news hour and a biweekly bebop jazz radio program on KDNA-FM. Robert was instrumental in publishing influential writers such as Drummond Hadley and Michael Gregory, and collaborated with Lawrence Ferlinghetti on his Bisbee publication, “Mule Mountain Dreams.” He continues to write, paint, and play tabla, besides working with high-school students as faculty advisor of the Park Vista Writers Workshop.