Sunday, July 30, 2006

And then there was one.

I saw corpses of children but nobody cares.

I saw your total disregard for me because you found another.

I saw her corpse when I returned, her mutilated body rotting away, broken.

And one was left, the rest they met their untimely death.

And one was left, the rest they abandoned him for better company.

And one was left, only he, the killer remained.

Abb iss band kamre main mera dum ghut raha hai *sigh*.

Wednesday, July 26, 2006

Khabaram raseed imshab...

خبرم رسيد امشب که نگار خواهی آمد
سر من فدای راهی که سوار خواهی آمد
همه آهوان صحرا ، سر خود نهاده بر كف
به اميد آنكه روزی به شكار خواهی آمد
كشتی كه داغ جگر ، دادت بدينسان
به جنازه گر نيايی به مزار خواهی آمد
به لبم رسيده جانم ، تو بيا كه زنده مانم
پس از آنكه من نمانم ، به چه كار خواهی آمد ؟

Khabaram raseed imshab ki nigaar khwahi aamad
Sar-e man fidaa-e raah-e ki sawaar khwahi aamad
Hama aahwan-e sahra sar-e khud nihada bar kaf
Ba umeed aan ke roze ba shikaar khwahi aamad
Kashishe ki ishq daarad naguzaradat badin-saan
Ba janazah gar nayai ba mazaar khwahi aamad
Balabam raseed jaanam, to biya ki zindah maanam
Pas az aan ki man na-maanam, ba-chi kar khwahi aamad?

Tonight came the news that you would come
Let my head be sacrificed on the road by which you arrive
All the gazelles in the desert have beheaded themselves
Hopeful that one day you will come to hunt them
The attraction of love will not leave you unmoved
If you don't come to my funeral, you'll come to my grave
My soul has come to my lips, come so I may remain alive
After I am no longer, for what purpose will you come?

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Ce soir, ce soir...

Beaten. I submit myself to thee. The height of my creativity. I sensed that connection. Now I sense distress. You know you must do it. If you sense distress, you must do it.

Thursday, July 20, 2006

A Killer on the Loose

I have realized my folly. I should've never put Alfie and Betty together. They might act like the best of friends in my presence but I'm certain he's been attacking her behind my back. I think he has been gnawing away at her sides while I'm out at work. I have to say that I have developed quite a fondness for Betty. She's been quite resilient through all this. I can't help but resent Alfie a little but I really should not resent someone for their inherent nature. I just wish I'd known it sooner so I could've separated the two and spared poor Betty the agony.

Some might say that Alfie suffered an equal amount of trauma but I'm afraid that I cannot sympathize the same way with someone who has the tendency to become a killer. And it's true that Betty has provoked him further - I've witnessed her do it. But it's quite clear really - whoever is more powerful also holds a greater ability to make amends and thus, a greater responsibility to use that ability. So when it comes time to weigh the scales, I say Betty +, Alfie -.

Monday, July 17, 2006

Homelands

Ni ni dar da dar da dar da dar da dar da dar da ga da
Ni ni dar da dar da ga da
Ni sa

Ni sa ni pa ma ga ma pa sa ni sa ga re

I heard these notes as I read of what happened in Rwanda. Your lush green homeland was painted red and sprayed with the pungent odour of decaying corpses.

Ni ni dar da dar da dar da dar da dar da dar da ga da
Ni ni dar da dar da ga da
Ni sa

Ni sa ni pa ma ga ma pa sa ni sa ga re


Violent storm, a strong gale, sand blown into my eyes, rain drops hitting my head with intensity, reminders of the homeland abandoned.

Sa da pa ma pa da
Ga ma pa ma pa da
Ga pa ma sa ni ni

We die to claim land that was promised to us, we die to claim land we refuse to share with those who have dwelled there just as long as we have, we die to claim land just for our religion, we die to claim land for our race. We die for nothing.

Tudo o que quiser
Tem que entender
Nas palmas da mão
Se tiver porquê
Frágil nessa terra
Fácil derrubou
Quando jogou fora
Tudo acabou

Where I was born is my country, where I live now is my country, places I visit are my country, places I haven't visited are my country, the world is my country.

Sunday, July 16, 2006

War

I turned on the TV after days and all I can see is war and bloodshed, people pointing fingers at each other and nobody wants to stop. They'd rather suffer through something that will accomplish nothing. In the end, nothing will change.

When I was young, my grandfather always told me that he who extends the first hand towards friendship is the one of greater character. Yet I'm hearing the leaders of the so-called civilized world justify war. War might be justified in some cases; this isn't one. And if we're still engaging in such a mindless war or encouraging those who are, then perhaps we're not as civilized, nor as great as we claim to be.

Tuesday, July 11, 2006

Separation Assumed

I didn't really get my wish. Perhaps it was meant to be this way. Postponing can mean only one thing...

Love-ridden, I have looked at you
With the focus I gave to my birthday candles
I wished on the lidded blue flames under your brow
And baby, I wished for you

Nobody sees when you're lying in your bed
And I wanna crawl up with you but I cry instead
I want your warm but it will only make me colder when it's over
So I can't tonight, baby

No, not "baby" anymore
If I need you, I'll just use your simple name
Only kisses on the cheek from now on
And in a little while, we'll only have to wave.

Monday, July 03, 2006

Insomnia

I cannot sleep. My brain refuses to shut down although my body is aching for some rest. My mind is a whirlwind of activity. I find that all the things that have been plaguing me for the longest time converged onto a single point of focus today and I received some form of clarity. And I hope I stay devoted to this point. I have grand plans and I know I have the capability of doing it. All I need to do is wake myself up from the slumber I've been in for the past 3 years. I've started talking to people, getting tips, and setting goals, aggressive goals. I'm scared. I think my brain's afraid that if it shuts down, I'll forget the sense of urgency that I'm feeling at the moment. I've tried to lie down and close my eyes without success. And here I am, writing, as a sliver of the first light of dawn intrudes on me through the window and my aching body groans for some much-needed rest that I know I will not get now. If only I could store this excess energy and use it in small doses as needed. But alas, I suspect that when tomorrow comes, I will retract to my old self, to the sweet slumber I have grown accustomed to in the past few years of inaction.

Sunday, July 02, 2006

Fear

You are on my mind tonight as I puff in, puff out. Oh, my poor swollen glands! Bloated, I am, burping unexpectedly, unpleasantly, yet still my thoughts rest on you, such is the impression you've left on me, such desires have you awakened. I stole your photo from your MSN to show to my friend. Was that sneaky? Perhaps, but I don't feel guilty. Why should I? You've displayed it for all to see. I don't care if they disapprove for all that matters is what I think. You spoke to me and in a minute, I knew it was meant to be. Return home soon, please! I musn't jinx this, no I cannot, for I always do.

I remember that fateful night in Prague when I walked alone, first in the park where the rustling of leaves, where the looming shadows, where the fleeting glimpses of the sinners haunted me and I ran for the light. I was scared yet curious and I fled because I always do when faced with a scary situation. I entered the dimly lit narrow alleys with not a person to be seen, buildings looming like the devil's hideout. I imagined criminals hiding there looking out at me through the windows and there I was, exposed.

It was like that when I went to the Afghani border that one time. We drove through the tribal areas and I saw huge fortresses with scattered holes in the walls. I remember that childlike question, "what are those?" He warned me not to venture off the highway which was federal property but I defiantly walked a few steps onto the dirt and I heard warning shots being fired into the air. I retreated, petrified of the hidden eyes behind the high walls and there I was, exposed.

And I haven't put myself in that situation with you now because I will feel naked, exposed, unprotected. And who will save me from you if you choose to take that sword out of it's sheath and plunge it into my heart?

Saturday, July 01, 2006

What am I?

It is Canada day and as I look out the window and see brilliant fireworks erupt in every part of the city, I can't help but ask myself where I'm from. You see, when people ask me where I'm from, I always tell them I'm Canadian because I truly feel that I am (I've told everyone repeatedly how I truly believe that Canada's the best country in the world to live in). That is always followed by the question, "But where are you from originally?" On my recent trip to the Middle East, I decided to tell everyone I was South Asian when asked where I was from so I'd get better bargains on shopping. However, they always proceeded to ask me, "But where are you from now?" No wonder I'm confused. If I'm not Canadian and I'm not South Asian, then what the hell am I?