A Poem by Javed Jiskani Baloch @JJ Baloch

Poem Reads:

Time never stops its relentless ticking,

Earth spins on, a ceaseless ballet.

Winds blow with purpose, without relent,

And the moon revolves, night after night, they say.

Water flows, a gentle stream of devotion,

For it knows not the sting of beloved’s offense.

But we, oh humans, often falter and cease,

In our sleep, our speech, our feelings, and love’s pretense.

Hate, oh hate, an unwelcome companion,

That clings to our souls, refusing to abate.

While time marches on, and nature remains true,

We, in our flawed humanity, struggle with this weight.

Why do we pause in our slumber and dreams,

Yet find it hard to pause in compassion’s embrace?

Why do we halt in our tender affection,

While hatred persists, a stubborn disgrace?

It is within us, this battle of light and dark,

The capacity for love and the shadow of hate.

But let us not surrender to our base instincts,

For within our hearts, a choice awaits.

Time may never cease its relentless dance,

But we possess the power to change our ways.

To break free from the chains of animosity,

And embrace love’s warmth, throughout our days.

Let us learn from the winds, the water, and moon,

Who continue their journeys, in eternal devotion.

May we find the strength to overcome our flaws,

And nurture a world where love is the ultimate potion.

For time will continue, never heeding our strife,

But we, as humans, can rise above our limitations.

Let us defy the norm, transcend our earthly bounds,

And become vessels of love, free from hatred’s frustrations.

In the relentless dance of time, let us choose love,

And in doing so, create a world that’s truly sublime.

For time never stops ticking, but within its rhythm,

Lies the potential for a love that transcends time.

EXPLANATION

In the poem titled “The Relentless Dance of Time,” the author explores the contrasting nature of natural elements, such as time, Earth, winds, the moon, and water, with the flawed aspects of human behavior, specifically focusing on the tendency to hate. The poem highlights the perpetual movement and harmony of the natural world, juxtaposed with the stagnation and negativity found in human actions.

The title sets the tone for the poem, emphasizing the unstoppable nature of time and the constant motion of the world. It suggests that while time continues its relentless march forward, humans struggle to overcome their own limitations.

The poem begins by acknowledging the ceaseless ticking of time and the perpetual spinning of Earth. This establishes a sense of continuity and the cyclical nature of existence. The winds are described as blowing without relent, and the moon is mentioned as revolving consistently. These natural elements are portrayed as being in a state of love, unable to be deterred by offense. This suggests that they fulfill their inherent purpose and remain true to their nature.

In contrast, the author highlights the shortcomings of humanity. The poem points out that humans can cease sleeping, talking, feeling, and even loving, but the one thing they seem unable to stop is hating. This assertion suggests that hate is a persistent and destructive force that lingers within human hearts.

The poem presents a critical view of human behavior, portraying hate as a flaw that hinders personal growth and impedes the ability to experience love and compassion. It questions why humans often struggle to pause and embrace love, while easily succumbing to hate.

The author draws attention to the dichotomy between the constancy of natural elements and the inconsistencies of human emotions. While time continues its forward march, humans possess the capacity to choose between love and hate. The poem urges readers to recognize this power and make a conscious effort to transcend their baser instincts.

The poem concludes with a call to action, encouraging readers to learn from the unwavering dedication and devotion of natural elements. It emphasizes the potential for change and growth, urging individuals to rise above their limitations and become vessels of love, free from the burdens of hatred.

Overall, the author uses contrast, introspection, and metaphorical imagery to convey a message of self-reflection and the importance of choosing love over hate. The poem serves as a reminder of the immense potential within humans to create a world where love prevails and negativity is overcome, despite the relentless march of time.

Jiskani Javed is a scholar, writer, Novelist, Poet, Author, Mentor, educator and a senior police officer-DIG at Police Service of Pakistan