A Poem For Saturday

"Abbottabad" by Major General James Abbott:

To me the place seemed like a dream
And far ran a lonesome stream

The wind hissed as if welcoming us
The pine swayed creating a lot of fuss

And the tiny cuckoo sang it away
A song very melodious and gay

I adored the place from the first sight
And was happy that my coming here was right

And eight good years here passed very soon
And we leave you perhaps on a sunny noon

Oh, Abbottabad, we are leaving you now
To your natural beauty do I bow

Jeremy Bernstein has more on the city.

(Photo of Takia Kakul, Abbottabad by Flickr user ilawar)