Listen …

And the morning bird chirps 

To remind me that there’s music all around, leaves rustle and whisper that harmony is green 

My hopelessness 

Drinks from the honeycomb 

To find its thirsty 

Throat craves for more .

As the busy bee

Prepares quiet honey

Hardwork is patient 

And the reward is sweet.

When one’s

unquenched desires

Rest in slow contemplation’s lap

Hope is born 

In a merciless 

World…

Shah Jehan Begum Ashrafi was born in U.P., India, and grew up in Mauritius. She studied English and French literature at the University of Mauritius. After completing her postgraduate degree in education at the Mauritius Institute of Education, she taught English, French, and literature in various secondary schools. She wrote several plays for the National Drama Festival in Mauritius. Her first published work is a study guide to Arthur Miller’s play ‘All My Sons’. Writing poetry is her passion, and she is also working on a novel and some short stories. She was on the editing panel of Rajeshwari Chauhan’s novel ‘Daniel’s Diary’. Now the author lives in Canada and wishes to take up other jobs and widen her experience and knowledge. Shah Jehan Ashrafi completed her Master’s degree in English Literature and Creative Writing from the University of Montreal.