Poems by Muhammad Shanazar

Biography of Pakistani eminent poet Muhammad Shanazar

Muhammad Shanazar, an internationally renowned Pakistani eminent poet and translator, was born on November 25, 1960, at Saib, a village of Tehsil Gujar Khan in District Rawalpindi, Pakistan.  In his childhood he did different kinds of work, he farmed the land, grazed cattle, cut grass, sold vegetables, and cut wood for fuel. But at the same time he took keen interest in Education. He holds Masters Degrees in English Literature and Political Science from University of the Punjab. Brazil bestowed upon him Doctorate in Humanitarian Education as well. Having done masters in literature, he started his career as constable in Police Department and served there for three years. He then joined as a lecturer in Higher Education Department, Govt. of the Punjab. Education and hardworking demeanour have taken him to the heights of success. He has dedicated his life to education and literature. He worked there for 34 years and just recently got retirement as an Associate Professor of English Language and Literature. In addition to teaching, he concentrated literature and in a short time he emerged as a poet and translator.  He met two severe shocks his life, his father was killed in 1990 and his mother died in a road accident in 1996.

Muhammad Shanazar writes poetry against war, the pieces his literary work have been published in various national and international newspapers and magazines all over the world. Moreover, his many poems have included in various international anthologies as a co-author. His published and unpublished books are: Gems, The Cold Stars, The Dance of Darkness, Cries in the Wilderness, Voyages and Visions, The Black Roses, The Scent of Love, Bells of The Bygone Days, Chillies and Aftermath. His translated books are: The Alien Eyes, Wrist in the Clutches of Death, A Tempest in Silence, Sugar Coated, Symphony and Other Poems, Snowy Sunlight, The Coin of Death, A Garland of Poems, Withering Dreams, Down the Blue Streams, Hot Springs, A Saga of Love, The Crop of Stars and Khairi Mourat.

Muhammad Shanazar is the recipient of so many awards, honours and titles,  the list extends more than 140, these have been  bestowed by various literary and peace loving  organizations around the world in recognition of his literary excellence and commitments. A list of list of his titles and award can be seen as under:

1. Promotion in Children Literature (National Book Foundation Islamabad)
2. International Special Distinction on “The Dew Drops”, by Voice Net, North Carolina, U.S.A.
3. International Special Distinction on “The World”, by Voice Net, North Carolina, U.S.A.
4. International Special Distinction on “A Change”, by Voice Net, North Carolina, U.S.A.
5. Resident Poet awarded by Voices Network, North Carolina U.S.A. (April, 2004)
6. Judged for 8 years poems in the international poetry contests hosted by Voices Network, North Carolina U.S.A.
7. The International Best Translator Prize 2012, awarded by International Poetry Translation and Research Centre, China; on 28^th 2013.
8. One of the Board of Directors of Galaktika Poetike ATUNIS 2010 to 2020, Albania.
9. President of the Jury constituted for international award “Frang Bardhi Prize 2013”, it was awarded by Albania to poets on high poetic achievement on Declaration of Independence, on 28-11-2013.
10. A lifetime member of the International Writers and Artists Association U.S.A.
11. Poeti Dal Mondo (Poet of the World) By Margutte, Italy.
12. A member of International Poetry Translation and Research Centre China.
13. Naji Naaman’s Literary Prize 2015 (FCG Foundation for Gratis Culture Lebanon).
14. Poet of The Month (July 2015) by The World Wide Web.
15. One of the one thirteen the great, by slideshare:

16. A nominee for the Nobel Prize in Literature 2015.
17. The Chief Editor of the world’s famaous two-volumed Anthology ‘Fragrance of Asia’ Published by Sahitya Publishers, India.

https://www.amazon.in/Books-Ed-Muhammad-Shanazar/s?rh=n%3A976389031%2Cp_27%3AEd.+Muhammad+Shanazar

 

https://www.amazon.in/Books-Eds-Muhammad-Shanazar/s?rh=n%3A976389031%2Cp_27%3AEds.+Muhammad+Shanazar

18. A Universal Inspirational Poet awarded by Ministry of Culture, Art and Tourism, Ghana, Anglican Church, Accra Ghana and PENTASI B World Poetry Ghana, West Africa on 22nd May 2016.

https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/entertainment/Pentasi-B-world-poetry-festival-opens-in-Accra-439711

19. A member of the jury for World Union of Poets Prize 2016.
20. An Extra-Ordinary Ambassador for Gratis Culture, Naji Naaman’s Foundation Lebanon.
21. Cross of Peace 2016, by World Union of Poets Italy.
22. Cross of Literature 2016, by World Union of Poets Italy.
23. A member of the jury for the World Union of Poets Prize 2016.
24. Vicedomini dell’ Unione mondiale de poeti 2016, by the World Union of Poets, Italy.
25. Platinum Cross of Coordinators by World Union of Poets, Italy.
26. World Icon of Peace 2016, by World Institute for Peace Nigeria.
27. Secretary General World Institute for Peace, Nigeria.
28. Deliverd leacture on “Democracy and Role of African Youth in Good Governance” at Adeyemy College of Education, now university in Ondo, Nigeria

https://thenationonlineng.net/institute-holds-peace-awards-ondo/

29. Bronze Medal for Culture by World Union of Poets, Italy.
30. Pride of Pakistan by The Chief Minister’s Youth Mobilization Committee, Punjab.
31. World Icon of Leadership by World Institute for Peace Nigeria and Governor of the State of Osun, Nigeria.
32. Published as featured poet along with other prominent poets at Italian literary site http://levurelitteraire.com/muhammad-shanazar/
33. Director of International Linkages, appointed by the Governor of the State of Osun, Nigeria.
34. Published at House of Pakistan as a featured poet.

https://www.houseofpakistan.com/muhammad-shanazar-pakistan/

35. Honourary Doctorate in Peace and Humanitarian Education by Instituto Edjucando Brazil.
36. Honorary Graduation 2017, by Mawaheb International Cultural Union, Canada.
37. Ambassador/General Director of the World Union of Poets-23rd level in 24th of the World Union of Poets, Italy.
38. Published as a featured poet in the world most famous magazine Diogen Pro Kultura Magazin.

http://www.diogenpro.com/interview-muhammad-shanazar.html

39. 2^nd Secretary General of World Union of Poets, Italy.
40. 1^st Four Stars Ambassador in the World of World Union of Poets, Italy.
41. President of Asian Parliament of World Union of Poets, Italy.
42. Published as a featured poet on levurelitteraire.com among great world’s writers and poets

http://levurelitteraire.com/muhammad-shanazar/

43. Herbert Macaulay’s Legacy Award 2017, by World Institute for Peace, Nigeria.
44. World Laureate in Literature 2017, by World Nations Writers’ Union Kazakhstan.
45. Pride of the Globe 2017, by World Nations Writers’ Union Kazakhstan.
46. Published on Citatepedia among great world’s writers and poets.

http://poems.citatepedia.com/by.php?p=5&a=Muhammad+Shanazar

47. Literaurnost Gold Award 2017, by Philosophique Poetica, India.
48. The World Best Poet 2017 World Institute for Peace, Nigeria
49. Ambassador of Humanity 2018, by International Higher Academic Council of English literature, India.
50. Poetic Galaxy Award 2018, by the Literati Cosmos Society, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India.
51. Ambassador of Justice and Peace 2018, by Dr. Harjinder Singh, the Chief Ambassador, the British Empire.
52. Ambassador De Literature by Motivational Strips, Oman.
53. Published on Citatepedia among great world’s writers and poets

https://www.best-poems.net/muhammad_shanazar/index.html

54. The Dean-Poetry Critic and Assessment at Motivational Strips Academy of Literary Excellence and Wisdom.
55. The Secretary General of World Institute for Peace, Nigeria.
56. The 2nd Secretary General of World Union of Poets, Italy.
57. The First Vice President of World Nations Writers’ Union Kazakhstan.
58. Connoisseur De Poetry 2018, by Motivational Strips, Oman.
59. One of the World’s Top Six Writers by Motivational Strips, Oman.
60. A Certificate of Recognition bestowed by UNESCO.
61. Noble Star for Literature 2018, by International Higher Academic Council of English literature, India.
62. Global Literature Guardian Award 2018, by Motivational Strips, Oman.
63. The World’s Most Inspirational Writer’s Award 2018, by International Higher Academic Council of English literature, India.
64. World Icon of Literature, by the International Higher Academic Council of English literature, India.
65. A legal member of Hafrikan Prince Art World, Ghana.
66. One of the Competent Authorities and Signatories for Temirqazyq: The Best Poet-Writer of the World Award 2018.
67. Temirqazyq The Best Poet of The World 2018, World Nations Writers’ Union Kazakhstan
68. Master of War Imagery, World Nations Writers’ Union Kazakhstan.
69. Global Doves of Peace, by Motivational Strips, Oman.
70. Living Legend Of 21^st Century, by International Higher Academic Council of English literature, India.
71. Honoured Poet of Pakistan by Lasosyasyon la San Frontyer, Govt. of Republic of Seychelles.
72. Mentor of World literature by Motivational Strips, Oman.
73. Advisor AABS Publishing House West Bengal, India.
74. One of the three members of the jury for World Poetic Star Award, hosted by World Nations Writers Union, Kazakhstan, on the 175^th Anniversary of the Kazakh poet Abai Qunanbaiyul.
75. Featured on House of Pakistan https://www.houseofpakistan.com/muhammad-shanazar-pakistan/
76. World Icon of Peace 2019, by World Parliament of Peace, India.
77. World literary prize, ‘Mentor of World Literature 2019’ by World Nations Writers Union, Kazakhstan.
78. Life time-member of International Poetry Translation and Research Centre (IPTRC) China.
79. A life-time member of International Writer Association (IWA), USA.
80. Senator World Parliament of Literature, World Union of Writers, Italy
81. Anton Chekhov Award 2019, the State of Crimea, Russia.
82. Master of Creative Impulse, Life-time Achievement Award, by Philosophic Poetica and Grand Production, Canada.
83. A Certificate of Achievement by Munir Mezyed Foundation for Arts and Culture, Romania.
84. Dean Literary Critic and Assessment, Motivational Strips, Academy of Literary Excellence and Wisdom, Oman.
85. Film and Literature International Award by World English Writers Union, India.
86. Valued Award of Humanity by Fantastic Ideas of Global Celebrities, Destiny Lightt Speakss.
87. Feature as Poet of Humanity on The Designer, https://thedesigner.se/en/muhammad-shanazar-a-poet-of-humanity/
88. One of the seven Celebrities of Literature by Fantastic Ideas of Global Celebrities, Destiny Lightt Speakss.
89. Featured on the Chinese Website along with bio and literary work with Chinese translation:

https://www.cnpoems.com/people/122464

90. HIS EXCELLENCY Yasser Arafat Peace Award 2019.
91. Global Icon of World Peace, Literature and Culture by Galaxy International Foundation, India.
92. Order of Shakespeare Medal 2020, for Global Literary Merit, by Motivational Strips, Oman.
93. Diploma of the First Virtual Art Olympiad 2020 for promotion of Peace and Humanity, by Association of Balkan Artists.
94. First Virtual Diploma on Contributing Literature for Covid-19 by Association of Balkan Artists.
95. Premio Mundial La Excellence Cultura 2019-2020, by URUBAMBA Municipalidad Provincial, PERU, Union Hispanomundial De Escritores, UHE, Motivational Strips, Sultanto De Oman, and World Nations Writers Union, Kazakhstan.
96. Abu Nasr Ibn Muhammad al-Farabi Award, by World Nations Writers’ Union, Kazakhstan.
97. An Advisor for All Poetry Souls, Canada.
98. A Nominee for Alternative Nobel Prize 2020
99. International Volunteerism Award 2020 by Sustainable Development GOALS, Ghana.
100. Community Award by Hera Foundation and Tony TV U.S.A. and Kishwer & Tony Peace Foundation and Radio TV Canada.
101. International Special Representative and Ambassador of Culture and Sustainable Development for the United Nations Committees, New York UN Headquarters.
102. International Award ‘Paragon of Hope’ Hera Foundation and Tony TV U.S.A. and Kishwer & Tony Peace Foundation and Radio TV Canada .
103. National Services Award International Human Rights Observer United Nations.
104. Featured on the web of an international literary organization Spillwords: https://spillwords.com/the-rape-of-a-doll/
105. Published alongwith poetry at: http://poems.citatepedia.com/by.php?p=5&a=Muhammad+Shanazar
106. International Humanitarian Medal by International and Peace Forum, Yemen.
107. A Pioneer of Humanity in the World International Humanity and Peace Forum, Yemen.
108. Award on creating Global Standard Literature by Sahitya Academy Gujrat, India and Motivational Strips Oman Headquarters.
109. A Certificate of Excellence by the International Humanitarian and Peace Forum, Yemen.
110. Hall of Honor 2020, by JD Police Defense System Headquarters, International Police Confederation, and ASIM Brazil.
111. A Certificate of Appreciation by Prince Tareq Sultan Al-Zureiqi, President International Federation of Arab Intellectuals Sanaa Yemen.
112. Poet at www.poetrysoup.com https://www.poetrysoup.com/poems_poets/poems_by_poet.aspx?ID=11991
113. A certificate ‘World Peace Pledge’ by His Highness, Dr. Tareq Sultan Alzuraiqi, the Prince of Yemen (Counsellor) and Dr. Ali Adam Alwakeel (Founder and President) of Astrid Academy, Yemen.
114. Certificate of Merit for the Literary Career and Art at a Universal Level by Association of Universal Poets and Writers, El Salvador.
115. Poet at www.oarklibrary.com https://oarklibrary.com/search/result/6b030819-6c39-48a7-a1e6-84ac7dcdf034?title=Muhammad%20Shanazar%20-%20poems%20-
116. Tolerance Medal by the International Humanitarian and Peace Forum, Yemen.
117. Featured on https://thejasmincollors.com/?p=3614
118. A Diploma on International Children’s Day by First Virtual Art Olypiad, Croatia.
119. World Peace Grand Award by International Interchange Development Organization, Thailand.
120. A Certificate of Apprecaction from Immigrant and Multicultural Services Society, Canada for participating in the 6th Canada Multicultural Creative Festival, 2020.
121. A certificate of recognition from Victor Boluarte Medina Alcalde, the founder of Cusco Cultural Heritage of Humanity and the Mayor of the Provincial Municipality of Cusco, for participation in the 3^rd International Congress of Latin American Writers of the XXI Century, from 17 to 19 December 2020.
122. Published as a featured poet with Hebrew translation on: https://www.kolhehamon.org
123. International Gold Certificate bestowed by Amb. Abdullghani Yaya Alebarh, President of the forum for Humanity and International Peace, Yemen.
124. Kairat Duissenov Parman Medal for Poetic Excellence by Gulhan Taikynkyzy, the Chairperson, Shiju H. Pallithazheth, the Co. President and Carlos Hugo Co. the President of World Nations Writers’ Union Kazakhstan.
125. Golden Certificate of Peace Ambassador by International Interchange Development Association (IIDA), International Interchange Development Foundation (IIDF) and International PINCO World, Thailand.
126. Premio Mundial 2020 Cesar Vallejo Award, A La Excelencia Literaria, Peru.
127. Member of Amnesty International.
128. Literary Luminaries Award 2020-2021 by School of Arts and poetry Nigeria.
129. Premio Mundial A La Excelencia Award 2021, by Union Hispanomundial UHE.
130. A Certificate of Author’s Recognition by Motivational Strips.
131. World Poetic Pillar Award 2020-2021, World Nations Writers’ Union, Kazakhstan.
132. Literary Luminaries Award 2020/2021, by the School of Arts and Poetry.
133. Certificate of Authorship Recognition by Motivational Strips.
134. Prmoo Mundial A La Excelentia (Aguila De Oro 2021, by Union Hispanomundial UHE.
135. Appoited Chief Advisor to the founder of Motivational Strips for the year 2021-2022.
136. Certificate of Ambassador by the International Humanitarian and Peace Forum, Yemen.
137. Mandela Medal by the International Humanitarian and Peace Forum, Yemen.
138. As a key speaker delivered an inaugural address to the World Knowledge Summit 2021, held in Mexico on 18^th August 2021.
139. Addressed on ‘Peace’ the Military Leadership of Bolivia, on the event History of Military Verse and Science, on Bolivian Independence Day, held on 27^th August, 2021.
140. Bio and literary achievements telecast on NBM Bangla TV.
141. Published as a featured poet, full page covering, in The Daily Asia Bani, Bangladesh.
142. International Award for Educational Excellence, on account of inaugural address to World Knowledge Summit 2021, hosted by UNISEF, UNESCO and United Nations, in Mexico.
143. A certificate of recognition by the Commander-in-Chief, armed forces, Bolivia.
144. AN EXAMPLE OF PATRIOTISM bestowed by INTERNATIONAL COMPREHENSIVE KNOWLEDGE AND INNOVATION CENTER, Bolivia.
145. A ‘LEADER GENIUS’ awarded unanimously by UN, UNESCO, UNISEF, the Union of University Rectors, Committee of the International College of C&C Professionals, Spanish Academy of Modern Literature, the International Academy of Science, Art, Culture and Education, Mexico and several other civil and businessmen associations.
146. A certificate of recognition and appreciation for delivering address to the IntercontinentalConference on the Environmental Education, held in Spain on 30^th2021.
147. A certificate of inclusion in World Book of Records, London, on account of co-authoring world anthology ‘Eternal Melodies’.
148. ‘Man of the Year’, by Shakti Film Productions, Jaipur, India.
149. ‘Promoter of Culture’ by government of Bolivia on supporting the Military History in Verse and Science project.
150. ‘Altruistic Writer’ by government of Bolivia on supporting the Military History in Verse and Science project.
151. ‘Five star Poet’, by the team of How To write For Success.
152. Peace Shield Award, by International Peace Foundation, Yemen.
153. Peace Leader, by International Peace Foundation, Yemen.
154. International Member and Mentor of World Creativity Forum, India.
155. Member of International Editorial Board, World Creativity Forum, India.
156. Peace necklace by International Peace Foundation, Yemen.
157. Knight of World Peace, World Institute for Peace, Nigeria.
158. Drector Executive appointed by Confederation of Writers, Aritists and Poets of the World.
159. Ambassador of Litatrarure and Art, by Confederation of Writers, Aritists and Poets of the World.
160. Ambassador of Peace by Confederation of Writers, Aritists and Poets of the World.
161. A Certificate of Excellence for being a contributor of international anthology, “peace Begins With Us.”
162. RABINDRANATH TAGORE MEMORIAL AWARD 2022, awarded by the Department of Culture, Govt. of Seychelles, Motivational Strips, and the Editorial Board of SIPAY.
163. A certificate of appreciation from Austrailian International Cultural and Art Centre, Poetry Sydny Committee, Australia.
164. Published with great poets of poemfull.com. https://poemfull.com/muhammad-shanazar
165. Humanity Award by International President Instituto Educando Para A Paz, Fedrative Republic, Brazil, President and Founder of Instituto Educando Para A Paz, United Nations Global Compact, one of the signatories is the Ist King His Majesty MAHARAJA of Kutai Mulawarman Kingdom.
166. Featured in an international literary magazine ‘The Genius’ published by Motivational Strips. https://evincepub.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/magazine.pdf
167. Published on the banner, on Tolerance Day 2022, by Yamen, alongwith Gandhi and Nelson Mendala.
168. Rahim Karim World Literary Prize 2022, by Rahim Karim Karimov World Literature Foundation, Uzbekstan, Russia.
169. One of the four poets published as Poetas Del Mundo (Poets of the World) in Conexion Nortesur, International Magazine, https://conexionnortesur.com/2022/05/31/poetas-del-mundo-peru-pakistan-venezuela-mexico/?fbclid=IwAR0L7njmnVDyhKeFtqg_P2WlBofFUVuBMODEIwOTPaZs0Tknlz4CU_Tofl4
170. Author at spillwords.com
171. A certificate of recognition given away by His Majesty Dr. Lasyah Rechza, the king of Kutai Mulawarman Kingdom and Her Highness Queen Eden Soriano Tranidad, international president and founder of Royal Kutai Mulawarman Peace International Institute (RKMPII).
172. International Award for Educational Excellence 2023, presented by Prof. Dr. Bikash Sharma, the President and Founder University Academy Management Association (AMA), President World Academic Education Industry (WAE), and H. H Dr. Gloria Hekker, Director Global Educational Summit, Kawasaki, Japan, hosted under the United Nations Agenda 2030.
173. Missionary of World Peace Award 2023, given away by Prof. Dr. Bikash Sharma, the President and Founder University Academy Management Association (AMA), President World Academic Education Industry (WAE), and H. H Dr. Gloria Hekker, Director Global Educational Summit, Kawasaki, Japan,
174. Honorary Postgraduate Diploma (Ph.D) conferred by Honourable H.E Amb. Dr. John Edoh, the Director of THE JEI RESEARCH AND INNOVATION.
175. International Advisor/Executive Editor of Reader’s Choice, a quarterly magazine published by AABS, India.
176. The Poetry Heart of Humanity by PENTASI B World Friendship Poetry.
177. One of the Conscience-Keepers of the Universe BY International Academy of Ethics, India.
178. Golden Bridge, by Rahim Karim Foundation.
179. A Star of the Year 2023 by Abdullghani Yahya Al-Ebarh, yemen.
180. The Chrimas Literary Honour 2023 by Motivational Strips, Oman.

Shanazar writes against war, his work has been published worldwide in different anthologies. His published and unpublished books are Gems, The Cold Stars, The Dance of Darkness, Cries in the Wilderness, Voyages and Visions, The Black Roses, The Scent of Love, Bells of the Bygone Days, Chilies and Aftermath. His translated books are The Alien Eyes’ ‘Wrist in the Clutches of Death’ ‘A Tempest In Silence, ‘Sugar Coated ‘Symphony and other Poems’ ‘Snowy Sunlight’ The Coin of Death, ‘A Garland of Poems’ Withering Dreams, A Saga of Love, The Crop Of Stars, Down The Blue Streams, Hot Springs, Khairi Mourat and My Scars, My Medals (Poetry of Habib Jalib).

 

For more information his name may be searched on Google.

 

Poems

 

While Going Around Kaaba

 

Indispensable mixing, merging

And blending of men, women and children,

Where they all lose their entities,

Into humanity, nothing else,

But only God in Man or Man in God,

As the rain drops lose their bodies

Impinging upon the surface of an ocean.

 

I went around in an ecstatic flow,

Divine sense of amalgam and felt nothing

Except God in me or me in God,

These were the moments of celestial union,

Kabah attracted me as the black hole attracts

Contents to mold or remold

And give them a new purified shape,

Purging them from all baser matters,

Refining and re-refining them all

Into a being that God requires, God desires.

 

I went around holding the hand of my soul-mate,

All time prayers on my lips for peace

And prosperity of all residents of the world,

I felt as if He listened to my whispered adorations,

Or they being perceptibly recited aloud,

Coming up from the deep abysses of the heart,

My sons and daughters too moved around

Mixed and mingled into their own states of mind.

 

Then I heard complaints of clipped purses,

Stolen money and passports,

It was pity and contemptible to know,

The devilish characters had their own slogs to do,

I held tight mine own bag hung on my shoulder

That contained a few Riyals,

Passport and prints of e-tickets,

I feared lest they should be lost,

My thought of unification dispersed and detached,

I came out of ecstasy and found myself asunder

From God as I ever had been,

And I became a part of the world full of lies,

Said goodbye to Kaaba with the tearful eyes.

 

 

How Ended 2023

 

I remember,

It was the last eve of December,

The red sun was about to descend.

Just in front of the hovel,

There sat five giant-sized human beings,

Around a penta-dimension table.

The plain around them was wide extended,

With dry withering sedge.

 

Upon the table they kept

Large bottles of champagne,

As big as jars made of porcelain,

There they placed beside a rope like objects

They grew out of their legs,

Might be a yard and half in length,

As thick as a rope that we use to haul and tow,

A ship or an engine when out of order,

They all had round knots on the end.

 

When the five giants were busy in chit-chat,

Red clouds appeared in the sky,

Harsh wind began to blow,

It didn’t waft along dried leaves or dust,

But skulls and limbs of the human beings.

The giants in panic took bottles in one hand

And in the other they managed their ropes,

On the crooked arms.

 

They all went into the hovel,

It hardly could adjust the five,

Their rope like objects remained outside,

The red clouds encroached

They began to pour down rain of blood,

Redness of the sun mixed and mingled

Into the redness of clouds,

The whole sky, even the universe,

Seemed all red red.

 

A man taller and bigger than the giants,

Sturdy with big muscles,

Resembling some ancient executioner,

Appeared and stood in front of the hovel,

He had an axe hung on his left shoulder,

And in the right hand he had a boulder.

 

He addressed them,

“Gentlemen! Manage your Vetoes inside the hovel,

Out of rain, else I shall cut them in twain,

And then you all will be free of your gadgets.”

In the meanwhile the sun descended,

And two thousand twenty three ended.

 

The Skull of Cain

 

In a dream, I dreamt a skull,

It roved street to street,

And stopped in front of me where I stood

It was freshly skinned,

From inside it was a hollow bin,

When it spoke, only its jaws moved,

It uttered wise things, rather the wisest,

But most of them were unintelligible to me,

I bent and peeped into and found,

Neither any tongue nor brain,

The whole thing

Imparted me nothing but pain.

 

It said,

“I am the inventor of the ways,

How a man murders a man,

The whole credit goes to me,

Whether one is killed in a family conflict,

Or on the battle plain,

I am the skull of Cain.”

Then it went away and spoke no more,

Perhaps its voice submerged in the roar.

 

The Skull of Victory

(Written in the background of war between Israel and Palestine)

 

In the morn, in the eve,

At night, at the sunny hours of noon,

Boom, boom, boom.

 

The dead bodies of men and women,

Cadavers of kids,

Shredded flesh of life,

Bones of hopes,

The injured carrying the injured,

Coffins of peace

Being shouldered by the processions,

Mad dogs of horror roving in the streets,

Flying adders in the airs,

Myriad streaks of smokes,

Mushrooms rising up to the sky,

Debris of the future,

Cages of pain wrapped in cries,

Stench of the burning innocence,

The uniformed men of military,

Carrying the gadgets of bloodshed,

Callousness whispering into the ears of silence,

An encroaching anaconda of the final catastrophe,

The wealth of hunger,

Are gifts of the United Nations.

 

The world ever moved on but sans patronage,

All he-cats were assigned to guard,

The bowl of milk taken out

From breasts of the step mother,

Now the Five Major sit with adjoining heads,

They rake up ashes with the poker of Veto,

And search for the skull of victory.

 

A Cracked Dome of Mirror

(In memory of my aunt Suryya who died on 17 Jan. 2023)

 

Memories,

Of the spent years are crumbs of time,

Now I sit and collect the shards,

Some seem pleasant and some poignant,

Life in the end seems

Nothing but a cracked dome of mirrors,

Each emits its own reflection.

 

Oh! My aunt,

My heart weeps and wail for you,

Though the sensible call it stupidity,

My heart and mind are not convinced,

That you are gone,

I feel, you just played hide and seek

As you had had in my early days,

My mother bore me and you brought me up,

Even when I am in sixties

And had a sojourn at the village,

You played a triple role,

Of mother, of friend and of guard.

 

There is a lot to remember

But memories are muddled,

I have lost myself in maze of recollections,

Only I remember

The last days that I spent with you,

And when I worked

To remove debris of the old house,

And I had to push a hand cart to throw out stones,

At each third turn

You had to offer a glass of milk,

And whenever I departed to come back,

You stood still

Like a statute on the edge of farm,

Till my figure vanished you remained there.

 

I feel myself lucky

That you breathed last in my arms,

It took a moment,

Life flew to the valley of death,

Ah! They both have difference

Of the pause of breath.