Farewell, Lapwing

Farewell, Lapwing
Pune, 25 June, 2005

On the lawn stands a lapwing,
In the sweet light of the moon.
I saw it in the morning,
It was still there at noon.
The rain has shed his blesing
In the happy time of June.
Silent stands the lapwing,
While a thousand crickets croon.

When winter was freezing
The bird was still around
Now the rain is pouring
Yet on his lawn he is found.
Bright may flash the lightning,
Fearful the thunder sound,
Stubborn is the lapwing
He won’t give up his ground.

When the sun was scorching
In the summer month of May
Unfazed stood the lapwing
The bird was there to stay.
I have learnt this one thing
Come twilight dark or day
To emulate the lapwing,
And persist in my way.

This bird knows but one thing;
The crow is very clever.
Always experimenting,
He flies hither-thither.
But his skills are wanting,
In the face of danger.
Nothing beats a lapwing,
In inclement weather.