Tessa Ransford OBE, Hon.DUniv (Paisley), MA, Dip Ed Poetry Practitioner and Adviser 31 Royal Park Terrace, Edinburgh EH8 8JA, Scotland, U.K. Tel : 0131 661 1277 E-mail : wisdomfield@talk21.com

KASHMIR You speak with me in dream - eastern ascetic man Commune with me whatever we seem to say   When I ask you where you come from      Turning you look at me telling "Kashmir". High land of sapphires, walnut and mulberry Whose lakes reflect the hills in their violet depths   Glaciers melt to crystal rivers      Kingfishers skim amid water lilies. The Fisher King may dwell in the Shalimar And we catch fire - to selve and to bear the light   Whose the face we each reflect?      Jesus the one and the thousand thousand. Kashmir afar I love and remember you Fine wool, fine rice, fine silk such as dreamers find   Once in life and ever long for      Now I must rest in the bluebird’s promise.   Tessa Ransford