POEM 155
THE TRUE FACE OF LIFE
When I am near the stage
of my desired
completion...
I am worried...
Still all these faces...
Motionless pictures
in this album ...
My memories.
Hundreds of faces...
Different in race
Shades of hair
color of eyes
In my confusion...
Faces now roads
Leading on
to perfection.
Miles of stone roads...
Ahead a face
Beautiful...
my beloved face...
All of these faces
helping me on
To reach you
My perfection...
I am still searching
walking onward...
Direction
always the same.
Leading to one place...
Your lovely face...
Face of peace ...
Face of my life.
_____
POEM 156
DEFEATED BROTHER!!
To be Whole...
A complete human being
How much greater?
I ponder the question
walking the rows of stone
honored graves well kept
And then the answer came
how lucky these dead were
for their faith well represented
In this heaven so beautiful
walking along the paths
all these graves flower adorned
_____
POEM 157
FRIEND OF HUNDREDS
The one...
looks at me
seems you...
The one...
sweetly smiles
seems you...
Always
the feeling
something missing...
The one ...
You.
And I say...
This is you...
That is you...
Here is you...
There is you...
And in
this and that
I became
Friend of hundreds
_____
POEM 158
IN THE NAME OF DIGNITY
Small the issue
by God ...
In appearance
human beings
But by nature
brutal animals
Not keeping our heads
like the ancient savages
with enemy's skull cups
we drink their blood
_____
POEM 159
TO W. SHAKESPEARE
(In front of his statue in Stratford)
In my sin
I will live
For none can deny
your greatness.
But my work...
deserving of such
appreciation
I believe.
Yet my name
can not be found
anywhere among
the list of the greats
This country ...
Statues are erected
honoring great works
Beloved National Monuments
My mouth
grows dumb of songs
For the soul of Khushal
may deservingly stone my ego...
_____
POEM 160
THE FACES OF VOICE
See the faces
lined by mourning
and past cruelties.
Oh you death...
Your damage done
Now forever crying ...
There was a time
These were mouths
Sweetly sang
And recited poems.
Once these ideal faces
with sweet voices
reaching out to me
now are only alive
in thought's depths
I remember...
The beautiful faces
Kabul radio in the air
And sweet voices calling
come to the island of dreams.
_____
POEM 161
WHAT TO NAME?
(A True Afghan story)
My head
dirt covered
lamenting father
grief prostrate
New grave
my son slain
innocent sweet soul
wasted life...
A whisper on the wind ...
"oh Papa.. cry not!
I am no longer
the poor farmer."
"I am now a prince
at home with God
and one day
you shall see."
Old Afghan,
quite near
speaking softly
eulogizing
"This sad day
now comes,
my son...
prince of men
now has gone
at home with God"
Old Afghan continued..
voice now quaking
sad his lament.
My mind's eye
saw not my son
I saw ...Satan,
but as a child
playing at our home
Gul Kako
my son called
with great love.
No longer
prince of men
this childhood friend
could not I see
only this Satan
killer of my son
_____
POEM 162
IS THIS LOVE ?
Am I correct
was I placed
in your heart
secretly
long ago
I have wondered
this feeling
is it your heart
opening
finally...
You, undefeated
have control
your heart closes
uncertain,
I am left.
_____
POEM 163
WEAKNESS
So great my effort
I am driven
barriers break
I must always be first
So many friends lost
as I covet ...
pain inflicted
the blame is mine, alone
So strong my vanity
no lover's line
will there be
desire me above all
_____
POEM 164
THE PROMISE OF PHARAOH
Is it possible
humanity's requirements
could be fulfilled
and yet the people
be sent to hell
by God's hand
Impatient
were these Pharaohs
They could not wait
for Heaven made by God
but in man's vanity
decided to make their own
They constructed
False paradises
Self made monuments
Where women were their angels
that comforted them
and riches quenched their thirst
