To Catch a Djinn

A ghazal for my Dadi and her sisters

First you must find a copse of trees where there is lore of the djinn
Then await the summer rest when elders think no more of the djinn

When the world has disappeared into afternoon slumber
You must gather your sisters and be sure of the djinn

The trees are treacherous and thick with secrets but you must climb on upwards to know more of the djinn
In the branches you must wait, breath held and ears pricked for the silence to turn slowly to the roar of the djinn

You must look for the long body of smokeless fire and the burning eyes above the maw of the djinn
You must wait while the sun drags across the sky

But you must not grow impatient nor bore of the djinn
You have grown up in these trees, conquered branch and bough

And you have felt before in them the draw of the djinn
So wait, wait with you sisters and don’t make a sound

And in time, if you persist, there will come the awe of the djinn
When she shows herself finally, dark and tall, remember the things you rehearsed to implore of the djinn

If you ask kindly and show respect, she may even agree to mark you and your descendants evermore of the djinn
But she will do this only if you and your sisters swear to tell no-one and keep to the law of the djinn

So when you tell your grandchildren your stories of waiting you say what you wanted but not what you saw of the djinn
And rest easy knowing the bargain will hold firm into the future when the young ones have forgotten the lore of the djinn