Monday 30 December 2013

All is grey until a silver lining appears

As she walked down the road, the surroundings reflected her mood: it was dark and dreary. The sun had gone in a while ago, at the moment all was dull. Her thoughts went back to a few hours ago when she had witnessed the worst shock of her life. After that ordeal, her life seemed meaningless. She looked up at the grey sky, waiting for a ray of sunshine to appear. Wind blew at her from all sides; it too, felt depressing. She wrapped her coat around her body and walked down a dimly lit alley. At this time, the wind stole her hat and she ran after it grumbling. As she stooped down to pick up her hat, the clouds parted and a beaming ray of sunshine fell on her, removing all the negativity from her life.

Tuesday 19 November 2013

Autumn

I walked down the pathway,
Autumn leaves scattered all around,
A warm red, a pale yellow, a harsh brown crackled

Gentlemen bent over,
Evergreen and cool,
Shedding as days went by.

The wind bit at my hands,
Crawling into my jacket,
Chills down my spine

Walking down this path,
I am not alone,
Autumn watches me pass through


Chaos

She watched from above, her bloodshot eyes piercing the glass. It shattered, bringing the others to attention. Looking up, they saw her. Pale, evanescent and cold; her gown floated through the abyss. She glared at the warm beings, knocking over objects in her way, her hair flying. Thunder filled the air as doors and windows banged open; shards of glass pierced the walls. She passed through, fuming. Then all was quiet.

Monday 29 July 2013

A rainbow floats with the aquamarine

Stepping out in the sun, she shone. 
The sand; soft beneath her feet,
Burning

She walked delicately,
Soft footsteps into the aquamarine,

Her dress became one with the waves,
A rainbow merging with the azure water
Flowing

Saturday 20 July 2013

Holiday blues

So, its the summer vacations. Usually I adore this time of year; nothing more than fun and friends. However, this time it has been a disappointment. University applications, university tests, math classes and long winding hours of staring in space. That is what my holidays have been like. No one is ready to go anywhere, everyone is busy and to those who thought that doing nothing isn't tiring, well guess what...it is exhausting. To top it all off, results day is almost here so there's no more vacations left to enjoy.

I mean, I wake up late and sit on my bed, read or use the laptop all day. The four walls of my house are starting to close in on me and I feel suffocated. Yes, some would say that I am exaggerating, but do we study all year to be rewarded with two months of university applications and boredom?

I'd love to take a trip somewhere but now there is no time left. Yes, I know I am whining and complaining, but this post was mainly to release my irritation with the boredom. And also because I wanted to try writing a self-expressed post. It feels nice, might post some more later on.

Thursday 18 July 2013

An incomplete beginning

The clouds hovered over the usually sunny seashore village. She looked up, worried about the oncoming storm. The boats had left this morning, her father's boat was a part of the fleet, and they had not returned. It was almost sunset and as the sky showed, a storm was approaching. The boats should have been back hours ago.

She headed down to the shore, peering into the passing houses. Made out of tattered wood, they were decorated by handmade curtains and rugs. The women spent most of their day knitting, earning their livelihood from the little they sold. She dreaded the day when she would have to do the same. Her preference was fishing; knitting was a waste of time. She thought the same about fishing but as there were no other options, she preferred fishing.

On reaching the shore, she waded out to sea to her favorite rock. Shaped like table with jagged edges, it was a few minutes swim from the beach. She stood up on it, looking out to sea for the familiar fleet, but saw nothing except waves and clouds. The unruly waves crashed against the jagged edges of the rock and the clouds above rumbled, floating closer to the shore. She sat down; her mouth set in a frown, her forehead wrinkled with worry.

Tuesday 2 July 2013

Pain may not always be evident

She smiles, her eyes lighting up for the picture. The photographer does not see the tears beneath her eyelids nor does he see the strain in her eyes. The camera misses the lines on her forehead, the disappearance of the joy she once knew. A snap is heard and lightning fills the room as the camera takes picture after picture. Her usually heightened dimples are dull and shallow, her lips not wide enough to indicate a smile. The tear slides down her cheek, but it is invisible in the photos, the pain is hidden beneath the false joy.

Light shone down on her once...then moved on

The sun shone down on her, lighting up her skin. Her chocolate brown eyes; now lighter, transformed into milk chocolate. Her jet black hair, now a dull brown, fell softly on her shoulders. She stepped out of the car, clumsy but strangely poised, and looked at the sea of people in front of her. Stepping forward, she was lost in the crowd as teenagers and adults pushed her aside, all of them waiting for their turn. She shrugged and made her way across the throng, joining her friends near the entrance. Smiles and hugs greeted her...she nodded back, her face lighting up like the sun.

Sunday 23 June 2013

Simply gazing

The sun sets, creating a fiery orange glow on the pale blue. They walk on, their fingers intertwined. Her head is on his shoulders. As the sun sank, the lights closed. They looked at each other, taking it all in. Her eyes, light brown swept over his face; his eyes, full of affection, did not waver from hers. They stayed, hand in hand, simply gazing.

Thursday 16 May 2013

What we are protesting for

Fourth day of peaceful protests in Pakistan against the rigging of the 11 May 2013 elections. Lahore is still immobile, the PTI supporters haven't moved since 12th May. Students who have exams in a few days are sitting in the sweltering heat, studying as well as protesting. Karachi's fourth protest will take place today at Hassan Square and it seems like the number of protesters grows with every protest. This growing number is the result of the viral videos, facebook statuses and tweets which are being updated on an hourly basis. The virus spread to London on 13th May, where overseas Pakistanis protested for fair elections in front of the Pakistan High Commission office.

What are these people protesting for? Thousands of Pakistanis are protesting for equal rights, for fairness...they are protesting against the unfair rule of rich landowners and mafia. They are protesting for power...power and the right for the people to rule the country. They are asking for democracy, the power of the people. They are spending endless hours in the heat because they have learnt to rise, they have learnt to demand what they deserve. And they deserve the democratic right to vote, they deserve fair re-elections. They deserve a voice. A voice which can be heard all over the world, that now the time has come. The time has come for equality and democracy in a country which has been ruled by rich mafia ever since its existence.

The people have realised that they do not want to live in the past.  They do not want Pakistan to be a divided country, they are spreading unity through these protests...they are bringing a revolution. A revolution for change.

Monday 13 May 2013

A revolution for change

Second day of peaceful protests in Pakistan by PTI supporters demanding  fair re-elections in Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Hyderabad, Islamabad and basically any other area where rigging took place. Processions began in Karachi, spreading to Lahore by the evening of 12th May. Thousands came out, demanding fair re-elections and condemning rigging. The numbers grew as night progressed, the media aiding  the youth and those who voted for "Naya(new) Pakistan," reporting each procession with successful effect. Karachi's procession at Teen Talwar(three swords) ended at around 10pm on 12th May while Lahore protested into the night.

The morning on 13th May 2013 was greeted with more protests in Karachi by other political parties' supporters as well as Lahore's determined 24 hour(now 48 hour protest). The social media united the nation once again as it had done on election day, the news of protests spreading throught Pakistan and revolution began in other parts of the country, all the people standing up for fair elections. Before nightfall, Karachi, Hyderabad, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore and Balochistan held peaceful processions against rigging and demanded fair re-elections. Threats greeted the protestors and the media as well, threats which were reported and soon the protests spread to London, demanding action against these threats.

Whoever said Pakistanis are not united did not see these last three days. These days when the nation stood up to vote for change, when the nation stood up for fairness, when the nation stood up against rigging and corruption. The simple wish for a new Pakistan has united the nation against all wrong, it has united the nation under the name of fairness, it has united the nation under one leader(who did not win the elections)...Imran Khan. Pakistanis in the country's major cities are standing up, they are coming out, they are leaving the safety of their homes, whether rich or poor, whether educated or not, whether Punjabi, Pashtun, Sindhi, Muhajir, Balochi or any other sect...they are standing up and protesting peacefully for whats right. In the words of Imran Khan: "Change will not come...Change is already here"

Saturday 11 May 2013

Determination, hearts and hours bring revolution

Today was Election day. Millions of Pakistanis left their homes to cast their vote, regardless of fear, regardless of danger. Youngsters, elders, adults, all with one aim...to bring change. Despite boiling heat, despite six, seven, even eight hours of waiting in long queues to cast their vote, the turnout was record breaking. Unfair elections in many parts of the country; rigging in the industrial hub of Karachi did not stop the nation from coming together and voting for a new Pakistan. Today, I saw unity, faith and determination in the hearts of people...something I thought had disappeared. Foreigners will not understand, for them Pakistan is unstable. As a Pakistani, I do not disagree; yes, Pakistan is unstable, yes there are terrorist attacks every now and then, yes people die every day...but today I saw hope. Hope present in the eyes and hearts of every Pakistani, hope for a new Pakistan, a better Pakistan. The people of Karachi stood for hours at end: elders aged eighty years, students as young as eighteen, the disabled, those on wheelchairs, those who're blind, those who're deaf and dumb, those from hospitals, every sect, every religion, minorities and majorities stood together today to bring change. Those like me, who were not registered to vote urged others to vote, stood next to the exhausted but determined voters, providing them with refreshments and keeping their spirit alive. Today, we stayed strong. Today, we stayed determined. Today, we were united. Today, our hearts and minds had one intention: to vote. Today, we saw a new Pakistan. Today, we brought change. Today, we are proud to be Pakistanis.

Friday 10 May 2013

Mirage

Looks in the distance,
Blinking,
Eyes half-closed

Heat burning down,
Water visible...
A mirage

Wednesday 8 May 2013

Senseless shatter

Lights blinked,
blinding,
spots in front of my eyes.

Night enclosed around me,
the twinkling lights piercing 

Throwing their force on me,
shattering my delusion.

Sunday 14 April 2013

"This is for my people who just lost somebody"...Goodbye

The sound of tears echoed through the room,
my eyes opened,
and rested on the pale body.

One Friday morning
The world ended for her,
Only to transport her to heaven.

Her face glowed,
her lips shaped in a smile,
while around her, tears dripped.

She had brought joy,
she had given love,
she was unforgettable.

Living beyind her time,
Present in every memory,
She was my grandmother.


At home in his arms

His eyes look at me,
Never turning away

He doesn't speak,
He doesn't have to,
I know what he's thinking
I always will

I look back at him,
Wordlessly taking his hand.

He pulls me close,
The warmth radiating,
I put my head on his shoulder,
At home in his arms

Sunday 17 March 2013

Eye contact hurts

I can't look at you
It hurts to even glance,
So I'm going to look away
because although it hurts,
It's much easier than eye contact

Shooting star

The stars twinkled,
Balls of fire,
crashing down on Earth,
Bringing wishes to life

Wednesday 6 February 2013

Sometimes storms are welcomed

The sky turns an angry red, then transforms into a dark orange within minutes. I look up half fearfully, but inside I am overjoyed. Thunder cracks like a whip, lightning scars the sky and all is lost as the wind picks up. Dust everywhere, leaves escape the trees to form spirals on the roads. It starts to drizzle. Torrents of rain crash down, heavy and everlasting until they touch the ground. People look up, their faces welcoming the rain with wide smiles. I hurry outside, and stand with my arms open to receive this blessing. In no time, I'm pouring wet, as is everyone around me. Thunder bangs again, lightning pierces the dark sky and we scatter, heading into our homes. Sheltered and protected, I peer out of the window, taking in the beauty of rain.

Enclosure destroys

Rough petals fell slowly,
Settling in the palm of her hand,
Like gentle snowflakes
But so colourful

Brown, red, green, yellow.
She closes her fingers,
A crunch is heard,
The veins have broken