everyday in the

sapping heat

of the desert noon

the host

and his retinue

retire to the

tranquil reception hall

in his house of wonders

 

the hall faces the

interior courtyard garden

its shuttered windows

create a magical calming

atmosphere

 

candle light scents

and burning incense perfumes

fill the hall

full of eastern promises

 

its walls are

adorned with the

finest Persian carpets

woven with intricate

geometric patterns

embroidered with

many coloured wools

 

its marble floor

is decked with cushions

covered in

rich coloured silks

 

the host and

his guests sit

at the same level

on the floor

they are all

equal here

 

they sip

sweet mint tea

and regale each other

with heroic legends

and poetry

 

each story teller

is heard

with utmost respect

and given warm

and encouraging ovation

 

the most generous applause

is showered upon

the bulbuls

caged in the

interior courtyard garden

who sang a sonorous

love song

 

the host

and his guests

spend the nights

outdoors

kept warm by

the bonfires lit

under the star studded sky

 

they drink freshly brewed

bitter black coffee

and entertain each other

with tales of

ancient caravan journeys

to far off lands

 

meanwhile the

roosting bulbuls

dream of freedom

and soaring high

in open skies.