I see him standing in the meadow,
looking in my direction.
Is my hair right? Does my dress become me?
Will he find me comely?
Casually, I look around,
a little laughter escapes my lips.
I smile, my cheeks are flushed,
I dare not look, but then I do.
His eyes reach mine; they blaze with light.
Instantly I drop my eyes.
Walking away, daring not to look,
I leave my heart behind me.
Will he follow? Will I see him
in the meadow of my love again?
Who is this handsome man who has my heart?
Does he come here often?
Questions and curiosity fill my mind,
confusion accompanies every step I make.
At last he’s gone, but, oh,
my heart aches at his absence!
He knows how to unlock my heart,
yet, I am afraid to yield to him.
Michael says to you, Lord,
Since I cannot find you,
and as I am dressed in tatters,
nor has a young girl’s charm or beauty,
flowing grace or softness,
my face scarred with battles,
furrowed deep with tears and cares,
I ask you with imploring eyes:
Will you meet me in the meadow
and gaze at me once more?
This poem first appeared in An Alphabet of Ghazals (2015).
—
Michael Childs, a modern renaissance artist, born of two artists, one a painter, the other a pianist, both with a love of literature, became an accomplished guitarist, composer, painter, woodworker and poet. When he was 28, receiving an invitation for the lovers of God to come to India for His blessing, he experienced being face-to-face with God. For the past 50 years, he has tried to capture that effulgent moment in his life and art.
