The Muffled Song
Mountain of Chitral of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) support nearly two hundred bird species.
Unfortunately, many of these are facing threat of extinction due to habitat loss, environmental changes
and illegal hunting. Himalayan Snow Cock is one of the permanent dwellers of these high mountain which
is being ruthlessly hunted. These lines by Shams Uddin attempts to highlight the issues.
With neck outstretched, standing tall
The bird formed perfect bull's eye
As if to serve villagers a wake-up call
Just it caught the air and fluttered
Perched atop the rock a Snow-cock
When his life completely shattered
Sang enchanting notes by 4 O'clock
At the hand of a merciless poacher
Only it did hunters conspicuous bleep
Who subjected the bird to torture?
Whilst lulling the rest into sound sleep
Life with missing ecological chain
Merely a few scramble up the scree
Will certainly be a source of pain
Covering the clump of juniper tree
Let's talk peace with God's creature
They wore the mask of white fox
To add to own life valuable feature
Negotiating rocks to reach the crux
Waited for the daylight to rise
To get to the source of voice
Parading against the dimly sky
Star of the Month
(Shams Uddin)