Diamond

a poem by Kamar Sultana Sheik

The Sea was proud of its progeny
Of pretty gentle girls,
People called them “Pearls”
The sky its offspring held in pride,
Gently sprinkled on petal-tops
Bonny boys-the dewdrops!

It was but dust, the Earth
To what object of beauty could it give birth?
Delicate as a dew-drop, pretty as a pearl-
With the bounce of a boy, the glamour of a girl?

It bore Silver, It bore Gold
Alas, both got sold!!!
Brass and Bronze, Copper and Coal-
All, the World stole!!!
Gems of Golden, Green, Red and Blue
All Magnificent to view!
That glittered and gleamed and shone
Brighter than Summer’s first Morn!
Yet, Earth’s true offspring
Remained Unborn.

Then Thunder struck, and Lightening blazed,
The Sea leapt, the Sky was glazed,
The Winds roared, Rain poured…
And did Earth, with Magic Spin-
Stirring sleeping Elements deep within…
Then softly, slowly, like a Crystal new-born,
Did Earth’s True offspring form.

It held the hues of the Rainbow,
The Radiance of Snow!
And the luminous glory of moonlight
The Power to rule the Night!
With the power to wound and the power to heal,
With the texture of glass, the strength of Steel!!!
Destined to reign in the mind of men
And the hearts of Women.
At last Earth had borne
The worthy heir to the Worldly Throne!
The Child of Carbon, Master of Mystery
Uncrowned Emperor of Time and History!
At last the King of Gems, all Mortals summoned…
They came and crowned him, “Diamond”