Dancing on Burning Coals

A Poem by Javed Jiskani Baloch @JJ Baloch

In the wilderness, I find myself adrift,

Lost in the echoes, where shadows shift.

Playing to the tune of fortune’s craft,

A dance of destiny, both cruel and daft.

Is it blind love or madness that I embrace?

A heart untamed, a soul in endless chase.

Whichever it may be, I cannot tell,

For what consumes me now is a somber spell.

Away from you, my world turns mad,

Reason and logic, a passing fad.

Victories and losses hold no sway,

In this tempest of emotions, I’m led astray.

Your parting cuts deep within my core,

A searing pain, like never before.

As I walk this path, a fiery trail,

I dance upon burning coals, without fail.

The heat beneath my feet, a constant reminder,

Of the love we shared, now torn asunder.

Each step I take, fuels the flames higher,

A testament to a love consumed by fire.

But amidst the pain, a flicker of hope,

A whisper in the wind, a way to cope.

For love’s journey is not without its strife,

And through the ashes, we may find new life.

So, I dance on, through the scorching pain,

Embracing the inferno, despite the strain.

For in the depths of chaos and despair,

Love’s true essence finds its way to repair.

Though distance may keep us worlds apart,

The flame of love burns within my heart.

And as I dance on these burning coals,

I hold onto the hope that love consoles.

In the wilderness, I find my solace here,

In the midst of flames, where passion sears.

For love’s dance is not for the faint of heart,

But I’ll keep dancing, until we’re no longer apart.

EXPLANATION

In the poem “Dancing on Burning Coals,” the author explores the complex emotions and experiences associated with love, loss, and longing. The poem delves into the depths of the narrator’s emotions as they navigate through a wilderness of uncertainty and pain.

The title itself, “Dancing on Burning Coals,” sets the tone for the entire poem. It symbolizes the intense and agonizing nature of the narrator’s journey. The act of dancing on burning coals represents the willingness to endure pain and hardship for the sake of love.

The poem begins by acknowledging the narrator’s state of being lost and adrift in the wilderness. They feel caught in the shifting shadows, playing their part in a dance orchestrated by the unpredictable hand of fortune. This conveys a sense of surrender to the uncontrollable twists and turns of life.

The narrator contemplates whether their actions are driven by blind love or madness, emphasizing the blurred line between passion and irrationality. This suggests that love can sometimes lead one to make choices that defy reason or logic.

The poem further reveals the profound impact of the beloved’s absence. The narrator experiences a state of madness, where victories and losses lose their significance. The departure of the beloved leaves a deep wound within their core, causing a searing pain that cannot be easily extinguished.

Despite the pain, the narrator continues to dance upon burning coals. This metaphorical act represents their determination to embrace the turmoil and endure the hardships of love. It symbolizes their commitment to the intensity of their emotions and their refusal to shy away from the challenges that love presents.

Within the poem, there is also a glimmer of hope. The narrator acknowledges that amidst the chaos and despair, love has the power to heal and transform. They hold onto the belief that through the trials and tribulations, love can find a way to repair what has been broken.

Ultimately, the poem conveys the depth of the narrator’s love and their willingness to endure the pain and hardships that come with it. It captures the tumultuous nature of love and the resilience of the human spirit when faced with loss and separation. Through its vivid imagery and introspective tone, the poem invites readers to reflect on the complexities of love and the strength found within the depths of one’s emotions.

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Author: JJ Baloch Vision-Vista

J.J. Baloch is one of the leading scholars in Pakistan on policing, law enforcement, criminal justice, security, conflict, and counterterrorism. He has produced ten acclaimed works in both fiction and non-fiction academic fields. He is also a famous Sufi poet and has recently published Rooh-e-Ishq-e-Javed, A Timeless Poetry Collection in Urdu and Sindhi. He is the author of the Novel Whiter than White. With an MSc in Criminal Justice Policy from LSE, London, UK (2007-08- PDP Scholarship) and an LLM in International Security from the University of Manchester, U.K. (2019-20- British Chevening Scholarship) at his credit, J.J. Baloch has 24 years of work experience in Pakistan’s police departments and law enforcement agencies. Baloch, J.J. has worked in the Punjab Police, Sindh Police, National Highways and Motorway Police, National Police Academy, Federal Investigation Agency, Ministry of Industries and Production, and Balochistan Police. Presently, he is working as DIG Mirpur Khas in Sindh. He is an alumnus of IVLP USA, British Chevening, LSE London, the University of Manchester, and other international authors and law enforcement forums such as the International Police Association. Presently, Baloch is enrolled in a Ph.D. program in Criminology. Baloch’s magnum opus is his recent creative work titled “The Kingdom of Indifference: A Philosophical Probe into the Missing Soul of Society”, which will be in the readers' hands by the end of this year (2024).

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