The Devil peered through the green foliage
Cloaked in secrecy, camouflaging even thought
Yet still weary that the rage of fury within,
Might easily be sensed and his position caught.

‘There he lay, the incompetent fool
Lying on his side, luscious grapes being fed
What mighty quest did he ever accomplish?
That he recline on a throne of golden thread.’

Revolted, the Devil turned, set to flight
Suddenly pausing he stared, mesmerised
Captivated, he gluttoned at the beauty of Hawwa,
But it was scorn, with which, into the winds he flied.

***

Youthful servants fluttering like flies
To a peaceful melody permeating through
A cup of wine fermented with incense
In pining fingers, Adam gulps the brew

An elegant touch flows across his shoulder
A hand clothed in Noor, matching his
For just a moment all goes silent,
Her beauty captivates the surrounding bliss

An aid brings forth two shiny steeds
Like stallions, but mightier still
A bending of knees and rustle of feathers,
And beyond the heavens with tremendous thrill

The beasts would turn to Adam’s will
Without binding ropes to reign them by
To conceive a certain place to be
Would be to be there, in blink of an eye!

Landing atop a gracious mountain
On Garden greener than all others
Where rivers run high as rainbows
And Indulgence seductively glimmers

Dropping from the heavenly beast,
Adam was shoved into a nearby river,
Hawwa had pushed and run quick away
Adam lumbered out to chase her

Laughing through grassy forests
Lorikeets following in the fun
At times, lifting Adam in jest,
Giving Hawwa more berth in her run

Adam cornered around crimson vines
Making sure to grab two sapodillas
Shoving one in his mouth, the other
For Hawwa, for squeezes and smirches

But suddenly, there she was, standing still
In an open, empty plain, suddenly silent,
Even the birds turned morose, changed direction -
Empty, save one tree with allurement, violent.

There was not a tree, grander than this
Nor imagination to perceive it
Towering high, above desires of Men
Since its fruit forbidden, to eat it.

Then why were they drawn?
Why was the tree calling?
Through bewildering branches and astounding fruits
In seductive tones, saying,

‘Adam…How agreeable, the ambience!
When two, long-lost friends finally meet
Welcome finally, my friend
With open arms, I greet

I’m glad you made it here soon
For your nature is mortal – quick to die
How unfair that you must live short
When your soul does immortality, vie!

Many a soul has come before
Do not think yourself the first!
On tasting my luscious fruit, each
Into immortality immersed!

They became like Angels forever
Ruling over these rich provinces
Now besides Allah, they are throned,
Emitters of saintly auras

Such Allah trials one and all
To judge who is truly deserving
Prove you have the gut for greatness
Audacity, ambition and daring!’

His hands reached out towards the fruit
Heart racing faster than before
High above, an Angel flew
Soon to be him, for sure!

‘Taste it’. He entered it into his mouth
A piece for his wife, whom he adored.
The Devil played the game too well
When Man’s insatiable ambition, he implored.

A surge of happiness flew threw his veins
As the Devil shooted into the sky
He had just proved his superiority
Over Man he had fooled hereby!

However below, the melody ceased
Animals too, awkwardly silent
An unwelcome darkness, crept slowly in
Their clothing of Noor, now absent!

Suddenly naked, grasping at the leaves of Jannah
For covering, but the trees with pain, screamed!
Only their fruits were meant for plucking
Their leaves were to be left, seamed.

Furious with fear Man shook
Like branches in a typhoon
Intensely ashamed, he heated up
Like the desert does, at noon.

A deafening blast to shock to death!
The Heavens asudden creaked,
Delight decayed to doom,
As Adam and Hawwa shrieked

An armed angel suddenly descended
Materialising out of nothingness
Landing, burying his spear deep, he ordered,
‘Kneel. Your Lord Cometh…’