In a moment of silence and solitude,
I stand dumfounded in my inner being,
Unable to understand
this life's turmoil.

What to say, what to do?
And above all how to move?
Lost in the labyrinths of my mind.
Oh merciful Lord take pity on us,
Bestow grace, in our hour of entanglements.

Rugged terrain adorned with hills and valleys,
Uncertainty and ambiguity the follies.
Do's and don'ts are added complexities,
In these engulfing and unending mazes.
A vulnerable life with sad macabre tales,
Abused then frustrated by legal scales.
Thought you were insulated from denigration,
Lessons learned from such humiliation.
This is a land of too much denied freedom,
Committed to madness in an archaic kingdom.

Autistic Rainbow

Let me paint my walls in hues of red, blue and yellow,
Inscribing its matrix deep into my marrow,
To lift my soul above the waters of filthy processes,
Counting the complexity of its shades each morning.
In their domain they fumble daily to cope,
And insanely we at times laugh at their struggle,
When in reality it is our inability to understand,
These loving persons who bring innocent love.
Shame on me, as they paint my canvas in colours!
And I miss the opportunity to enjoy their unique joys.

Perplexed people of a politically polluted land,
Are uncertain of who they truly are.
Sons supporting freedom's fight, fathers seem lost,
Seeking meager gains with no gain in power.
Subjugation and forced order is in play,
Forgotten the episodes of cold blooded ******.
Rapes, intimidation and tormented nights,
All ignored, for they are not
our daughters or mothers.
No concern given to our neighbors strife?
Our humanity we sold, for positions in this land.
Strengthened the corrupted power at play,
Full of anarchy and devoid of mercy.
The foibles in name of government and development,
Oh Lord!Fill our fellows hearts
with compassion.
Open their eyes to the inadequacies,
Bring our nation back to consciousness.
©Perveiz Ali

Blood Rain
Rain....
signal that the sky is crying.
Sun,
now hiding behind clouds.
Ashamed,
of me and my human sins.
Wet,
droplets of rain become blood.
Stinging,
my tears now ****** as the rain.
Wounds,
Open and burning as they run red.
Recriminating,
my soul as shame fills my being,
Earth,
opens her arms to welcome me.
Mud,
oozes into my mouth slowly,
Taste,
that of blood soaked in earth...mine.
Blurry,
my fading sight as my eyes glaze.
Winter,
mocks me with its cold howling wind.
Darkness,
envelops my whole being in totality.
Sight,
No longer gifted to me, hindsight too late.
Brain,
functions fading fast, on impulse.
Heartbeat,
Fading no familiar drumbeat heard.
Crossing,
over into the light I venture timidly.
Judgement,
mercy on my soul, I know I'm not worthy.
©Perveiz Ali

Circles

Where does one start or end in an oval?
You travel long and hard to only reach nowhere.
Any direction brings us back to starting point,
Trekking and swaying to different ends.
East to West or North to South it's all the same.
Should I say I am ill to cease this wandering,
Tracking after love has me frustrated.
All efforts seem in relative vain to make,
She has me in a quandary as to my next step.

© Perveiz Ali

Death Reigns

Where to register you?
My dearest brother and sister!
Among the rebels or adherents?
Has this paradise so devolved?
Discharge of bullets now common,
Pactised length and breath freely.
Terrorists claiming to fight terrorists?
The license handed to oppressors.
Teens out to spectate the show,
Never to walk home evermore.
Souls lost and bodies bloodied,
Who bears the guilt of wanton slaughter?
Lust for violence in their hearts,
So easily to fire into a crowd?
No difference between agitators and innocents?
A people whose lives mean so little?
How do you justify the loss of humanity?
Blood shed and death reigns victorious,
Young lives lost... A future gone dark.

© Perveiz Ali

Enthralled

To feel the fresh morning
breeze,
In a desert of simmering heat,
Your smile and fluttering
eyelashes are akin to such.

Calm as the midnight sky,
Showering in a cool spring,
Your soothing voice on the
phone washes over me.

Vastness of open oceans,
Connecting the vast continents,
So too does thoughts of you
Fill my heart ... bridging the
distance.

Rhythmic your walk and sway,
Captivating is your movements,
My thoughts center on the desires you titillate.

Welcome song of opening
flowers,
The alluring notes and scents,
You bring all that to my mind,
Capturing me, I'm enraptured.

Your demeanor excites me to no end,
Exciting and wonderful, your beauty,
For you I am ever ready to serve,
Your love has me fully enthralled.

© Perveiz Ali

Et tu Brute

You came in, with a smile to die for,
A smile that melted hearts and united.
Together we seemed to be on a mission,
To attain a level of individual perfection.
Our boat started to row in smooth tandem,
An undulating ride on a sea of happiness.
The breezes seemed to sing in chorus,
The birds sang with the joy of spring.
On cloud nine I was dancing a jig,
Happiness enveloped me all around.

Then came the trials and stormy gales,
Tensions growing as walls were erected.
Faults stood out glaringly, a sore sight.
No compromise reached as gut reactions thrived,
Gold and granite were not differentiated.
Grouses kept hidden till roots rotted,
Then severance with heated sharp blade.
Shocked am I at the vitriol spewed,
Et Tu Brute? Then die Caesar no point in living!

© Perveiz Ali

Fractured Love

The calm nights of twinkling stars,
Brought us out to view their beauty.
We would sit watching in a warm embrace,
Professing our love for each other,
Good times together we did have my love.
Our dedication was to each other so strong.
The long walks together in spring,
Among the lovely blossoms of color.
Life was grand with our love intact,
Eyes glistened with love so sweetly passionate.

Then we drifted far apart, tied to separate lives,
We tried to keep the embers lit and burning.
But alas it was not to be as the flames died,
The stars seem so far away and dim now.
Our eyes now glistening from wet tears,
Our destiny together now fractured.
Two trains on separate tracks passing by,
Our journey now separate and isolated.
Could we have salvaged the feelings?
Can we still be friends as the love is in flight?
© Perveiz Ali

Innocence Denied

Oh dear! Let me open my heart,
To let you read what I am.
What my thoughts are composed of,
The turmoil that's on my soul.
Share the angst of my existence,
Give light to the pain of my oppression.
Am I difficult? Or am I so deprived,
Let them say what they want.
But Alas! Chaos and confusion reigns,
Should we bow to devious tyranny?
To be held by them, against our will?
To write our destiny in blood?
They wish to ****** our free will,
Soaked in streaming blood.
Should we stand firm or cave in?
On the lines to be handed the scraps,
Objectors dragged and humiliated.
Charged for crimes we didn't commit,
Ye innocent and chastised souls.
We seek only liberty and real freedom,
To enjoy the fruits of happiness in shade.
No longer prisoners of political ambiguity,
Our will finally to be imposed is out wish.
© Perveiz Ali

Kashmir  

Known but uncertain.
A macabre aura in her lush green valley
Swirls along the lanes and the by lanes,
Humming the death songs, and
Mocking the mother's lullaby;
Inundates the spring of love
Reeling under the gales of remorse !

I- Pulwama

Pulsating pain,
Unbeknown to the servants of chair,
Leaches out the marrow of tolerance,
Wobbles the calmness of quiet sea,
And reduces the sane to stupors;
Mayhem clouds the canvas of peace
And ruins the crop of pride!

II- Shopian

Singing the songs of hope, but-
Hearth of ignominy blazes its zenith
Over the apple-bough bedecked contours.
Perforated is every bud that dares to live
In the middle of the 'dance of death'
Akin to the blind devastating tornado,
Nay, a fair of cherishing right to cease life!

III- Kulgam

Kind enough to lit the candle of austerity,
Unknown but to decipher abysmal cause of
Long lacuna in a journey called life;
Gog and Magog they name them
Arraying the apostles of deceit;
Machiavellianism it is, do they know!

IV- Anantnag

Amplified agony of terrorized souls
Nibble at the crumbs of shattered dreams
Along the periphery of devastated 'Lal-Chowk';
Nomadic but still the images find abode
Tethered with mournful sand of 'Sangam',
Nay, undulating terrain stands it firm
All denizens are but a reflection of
Galeanthropy!

V- Srinagar

Schizophrenic- An epithet
Round the clock they wear;
Illusionary clouds all around
Neap the momentum of ship
And strangulate everything in a fit of despair
Gushing out the marrow of patience
And leaving behind infertile soil
Regretting what it had?!

VI- Budgam

Beseeching to blossoms of almond-
Unlearn to rely on the artifacts
Destruction with their only aim;
Gabel otherwise bound to pay we are  
Along with the honour and digity,
Mundane- a certificate to be killed?!

VII- Bandipora

Beside the 'Wular Lake'
Antiquarian lot with over burdened brows-
Nothing to do but recollecting the days:
'Demons when were worshipped, and
Idols of falsity followed';
Pine high dreams kissing the ground
Over and above that can be documented;
Rolling is the agonising arid pain
Aching all the wasteland of wounds!

VIII- Ganderbal

Gloss of undulating terrain
Anguish in the paroxysms of swindle
Notches of which still bleed
Darkness of dark demegogues;
Eating up of the grey matter follows
Relying on the spoon feed, and
Blackout of the nursery of the intellect
Among the denizens,
Lost in sighs and sobs!

IX- Baramullah

Black and blue still explicit over
Amicable land of dreamers-
Roasted they are from decades;
Along the banks of Jhelum
Mutilated memories are hung
Under the hovering black clouds-
'Lost for words' is the expression,
Living souls visiting this garrison;
Alas! Caught we are between the deep sea and the devil
Heros we need in a land of sheepskin prophets!



X- Kupwara

'Kiss of death' is for the democracy
Unabsolved case of 'Kunun Poshpora';
Pacified unmarked mass graves
Welcome you to the countryside
Amidst the loaves of corpse, and
Roar of egos
Asking the citizens to prove their identity!

Kashmir Delirium

Oh People Of Earth! Thankful are we,
For each act of benevolence shown to us.
Your gilded sweet words describing,
The beauty of Kasmir, land and people.

Mention in books and talks of it's riches,
Naming it the Sweet Paradise Of Earth.
The Lord has been bountiful to Kashmir,
Treasure of resources in every sphere.

To elevate each aspect, our wish for life,
As every acre of this land is worth millions.
Full of treasures and recreational value,
Forestry with grandeur and silvery rivers.

The outside world's view is so limited,
Simple folks living in the lap of rich bounty.
Mentioned in world forums and organizations,
But what of the goal of giving us freedom?

What has The UN established in our name?
To measure the pain and anguish we bear,
At the hands, of our supposed benefactors.
The saviours who has us fractured.

But in reality they train their enforcers,
In the art of creating oceans of tears.
The red blood now hidden in camouflage,
The spent shells now gathered and hidden.

The leaders we are told to elect in electoral shams,
Run publicity kiosks and swell friend lists.
Joint conferences to address personal interests
Dialogues that never address the root issues.

Just the formalities and no sympathy,
For the ones burnt in cruel sadistic reprisals.
The hypocrisy continues deliriously unabated,
More augmentation of the security forces.

For a first hand view of deep hypocrisy,
Walk this land, you know as beautiful.
Religious leaders will teach you  political artistry,
Sermons full of ambiguity and guile.

Waywardness and narrow mindedness on display,
Political apologists give great lessons.
Religion and religious ethnicity are tools,
That keep minds and bodies in total check.

Gamesmanship by leaders is the rule of thumb,
As promises are forgotten once office is obtained.
When writing of this succulent beautiful land,
Write of the air, pregnant with sadistic practices.

This land is being stripped of worldly treasures,
And the greatest treasure is mistreated daily.
The best of nation is the inhabitants,
Ignored are the real gems of this beautiful paradise.

This land in midst of mazed vales and meadows,
Of lofty icy Himalayan peaks and forestry.
Unique are the means utilized by the power players,
Be it the Islamists or Hindus on either borders.
Claim of their right to rule this land of the free,
A people distinctly different from their ideals.
Compassion for us seems long forgotten,
As we are constantly crunched beneath boot heels.
Where forth must we look for our liberation?
Has our God also forgotten our stressful plight?

It is all now done in vain,
To pretend in a state of pain.
To look through tears like rain,
It still remains just a game.
We struggle to remain sane,
Even as the horrors are plain.
Who shall we seek to blame?
As we wallow in this shame.
Sweet nectar now bitter strain,
As the sacrifices are in vain.
Our honor now deeply stained,
Our wounds now so inflamed.
To the heavens our necks craned,
We pray the hardships to be waned.
© Perveiz Ali

Lift Me Up

Oh half white merciful sky of ours!
Take a whirl to create a wind,
To hoist me over the "hind,"
To a place I love and call "Joveria".
Where I would be as cheerful as I can,
Where the scenes are akin to a painter's canvas.
Lovely landscapes that bring bright smiles,
Capable to erase all my sad miseries.
And the lovely echoes of soothing whispers,
That balm and soothe my ears.
To roam over the land of happiness,
Free of fear, now carefree and loving it.

(*Hind is another name for India
Joveria.. Is the name of romantic heaven... Coined by me )
© Perveiz Ali

Loneliness

As it exists for me it creates a daily frown,
It restricted my world, happiness flown.
Like the autumn leaves fallen, wind blown,
My joys absconded to parts unknown.
To the world, I am famously full grown,
But lonely insecurity is my cruel crown.
Seeking to soothe the bruises all alone,
Drying my teary eyes as my soul does groan.
Hoping that the plans I have recently sown,
Will heal the unseen wounds of being alone.
©Perveiz Ali

How can I say
yes, I agree to you.
When it is not you
but the forced being
induced in you?
Calling love a rose but
a fragrance free rose.
How can I imagine
Emotions that are
beaten in and out,
without a soul?
Do you mean that
Fishes fly?
And birds swim?
Of which wonder you
speak?
Unable to grasp the
Lessons you teach.
To the one who
believes in love
The love of art,
the love of life,
Emotions so strong.
And so you preach,
there is no thing
called love?
What then is the
emotions called?

Failed to convey who I am?
In my thoughts and acts?
For the one who means
the world to me?

Am I that highly naive?
Missing your signals given.
In the sweet coated words
I accept as straight as mine.

But why do they fail?
When they are so needed.
The proven milestone of our theme.

What does it mean then?
No trust in my words expressed.
My words as soothing game
Where trust is extinct?

Showing off is an irrelevant act
A salute to you, My Love!
For the pain you showered on my name.
© Perveiz Ali

How do I love thee?
Let me count the ways
of soul soothing play,
unique in it's own way.

To join our hands
and walk over the Sands.
Dreams of lands,
adorned by scintillating star bands.

Together we breathe and
share the lovable air,
Full of aroma and sweet
scents of pine.

Let's start to clear the
clouds of fear,
Make love not sparingly,
in actions of passion.

Love's Subscription

Oh garden of love, grant me lifetime membership,
Ignore the other subscribers as I offer my passion.
Scribe who tends to the garden hear my plea,
Add me, for here my heart wants to be.
To sing the songs of love's sweet eternity,
While basking in the flowery garden.
Scars of painful wounds healed and forgotten,
Scented roses and petunias fill my senses,
Caressing my mind and heart in peaceful solace.
I seek to dwell here for an eternity in love,
My subscription has no expiration forever slotted.

"Don't go far off, not even for a single day."
Memory of your utterance that sweet day.
You offered to be mine in your own way.
In this life full of green and things grey.
Memorized what you promised me that day.
Under shady tree, as if in a romantic play.
Woeful I am now, as I've lost the way.
Now heartbroken in sorrow I shall pay.
© Perveiz Ali

Should I write?
How mesirably I failed
To upkeep the flags;

The alcoves of my deserted heart
Used to unfurl in pride;

Or smile from the corner of my eye
And let you recreate in the labyrinths
Of my shabby garden of dreams,
The gates of which are ajar!

Despite being the custodian
I no longer find my limbs follow my wish
To peep in at least once
And feel how silently crevices sob
And debris mourn!

My awakedness is my fear
Lights choke and the greens blind my day
Darkness- a solace but the dreams
Haunt like the ghosts of the old burnt down home!

Graveyard-an eternal solace
My dream and my identity!

My Valued Muse

Can I call you my home?
As home is where heart is,
Shield to my tender wants,
The ****** of my inner thoughts.

Can I call you by my name? As name publicly identifies,
My tag, in every good or bad,
You chose to happily claim.

Can I call you my investment? As investment is for future security,
Planned and evaluated carefully  
No regrets, I venture capital  happily.  

Can I call you my achievement?
An achievement I am  proud of,
To open sky, I announce quite often,
Loud and clear your
Goals are met

Can I call you my heart?
As heart is the regulator of all
One's thinking and actions,
Without any change of outer being.

Can I call you my body?
As miles apart, I bleed from a cut,
One you experienced whilst cooking,
My body forever linked to yours.

Can I call you my public officer,
As you announce my name in parts unseen,
Fame simply from being a disciple of love,
My name you broadcast to thousands.

Can I call you my book?
With chapters and pages,
Organized with my attitude and silly wits,
Chapters in a storyline that carries my act.

Can I call you my Iife?
As every possession of yours is valued,
As dear to me in every way,
As it is to you ... My existence  rests with you.
©Perveiz Ali

Practice What you Preach.

Human characters are a real puzzle,
Sing in one tune but the music is different.
Constructive thoughts yet destructive acts,
New year wishes with festive greetings.
Preaching peace and communal harmony,
Even as chaos reigns in each communal street.
How can fire and water be mutual companions?
Revolutionary thoughts but deceitful tactics.
New year wishes laid on so thick and bright,
May the expressions in public become the private practices.
©Perveiz Ali

Progress?

Past:
The days were ever beautiful,
Golden rays and singing waves,
Soothing were such greetings.
Enthusiasm fed by nature's gifts,
Birds dancing amid bright colors,
Spirits raised into heights aloft.
Cheerfulness embedded in goodwill gestures,
Happy steps among aromatic breezes,
Many smiling and giving greetings.
Encouraging words given freely,
Unselfish acts abounded the streets,
Calm nights bathed in twinkling stars.

Now :
Cursing mornings and frightful rays,
Rising to yet another day of misery,
Slothful and devious conspiracies weaved.
Curtains drawn... scared to open,
What new horrors to behold delayed,
The nights wrongs, no rush to behold.
Morning meal's meager if any at all,
Now out into this cruel reality to forage,
Bracing for what fate will now reveal.
The birds sing of sorrowful tales,
Their melodies seem sad and bleary,
Merchants washing fronts..is that blood?
Checking faces to see if any is missing,
Heads shaking hearts pumping in fear,
What next will be the news? Paradise hijacked.

© Perveiz Ali

Reconstruction

To be free of this insufferable pain I tolerate,
Such aches and pains I can't even rate.
I grind my teeth as I **** it up and tolerate,
Is this to always be my sad lonely fate?
The world has dealt me a sad hand,
My Psyche lost  in the wind as grains of sand.
Wounded inside I bleed unseen by eyes,
I cry out to those foreboding dark skies.
This aesthetic world sees not my sorrow,
Must I always smile even as I fear tomorrow.
Should I not face my calamities boldly?
Stand for what I firmly believe steadfastly.
Let my convictions be my salve,
Allow pent up emotions a release valve.
Fill my being with new love so beautiful,
Rebuild a connection that is decidedly wonderful.
©Perveiz Ali

Human beings.....
In a race to change
The very definition of humanity,
Only to get baptized in insanity.

Politicians.....
Rhapsody of the Parliaments and Government,
To bring a system of popularity,
Full of hate and inequality.

Bureaucrats....
Mobilize the art of duality,
Impress the subordinates with cruelty,
Pave a way to ambiguity,

Media.....
Refines the art of deception
Brainwashing the public view,
Discourages insightful review.


Intellectuals....
Racing the horses of wishes
Full of illogical ideals,
Manipulates as treasure steals.

Teachers...
Busy projecting arcane results,
Doubtful about own native cultures,
Relishing the limelight like vultures.

Administrators.....
Passionate to be remembered, Names on streets and buildings,
Boards and Committee starlings.

Social works....
Administer the theoretical concepts,
Bridge the recognised social rifts,
Actuality is subjugation and wanton theft.
©Perveiz Ali

Soaring

Oh wind! Can you give my lady and I a ride.
Lift us aloft to soar thru the blue skies,
Surrounded by the waves of romantic clouds.
A journey to ease the pain of wasted years,
Can a chariot be ours to ride in?
Where hand in hand we can soar and sing,
Gliding in the air with joy and love blooming.
Would that this were possible for us,
A way to be alone to rekindle fading love.

© Perveiz Ali

Social Climbing

How many asks what is the way forward?
The lack of thought impregnates our air.
By thoughts and acts we pursue social achievements,
Exhibiting selfishness, chaos and insecurity.
We promote ourselves through groups and individuals,
Paving the way to social fame and glory.
All while our country rivers crest with blood,
Peaked by the sacrifices of those socially conscious.
Their protests to gain our freedoms unrecognized,
By those of us ******* in the hunt for fame.
Is it this the dream, we strive to gain?
Shamed am I that we have not addressed their demise.

SOULFUL IMAGINATION

On a journey of imagination,
The wind sought an explanation
Of that loving nature
We cannot measure.

Pray tell me now,
How good is your heart,
Filled with your beloveds' love ?

“Pacific, is my heart indeed!!”
Are the words I did utter.

Above the whispering reeds
Supporting the cloudy kites
It did impose further.....
What is love?
© Perveiz Ali

On a journey of delightful imagination,
The facets of which had no explanation.
A loving nature that was beyond measure,
Became for me this sweet tender treasure.
My beloved gave me love like the Pacific,
My heart is filled with her waves so terrific.
Her vast desires has me overwhelmed,
From where this great passion stemmed?
© Perveiz Ali

When absurdity is the show,
What else does then remain?
To be branded with the tag,
"Stupid" you are... yeah, stupid I am!
I see the world with clear eyes,
No calling brown black or Tan white.
The moon travels around the sun,
Not the sun travelling across our skies.
I like to call a ***** a *****,
"Stupid you are!!" modernity demands more.
Duality... not my way or inclination,
Even if modernity demands it.
Gone are the days of morality and modesty.
****** seems to be the new trend,
Truth and courage relegated to the rear.
Now if games are not played or graft taken,
A label of "Stupid" is then attached.
Then, it seems that "Stupid"is my moniker,
As such, then, I shall wear the name proudly.

The Pawns

Who you are to your leaders?
Naught but a vote to be courted?
Once secured and rank obtained,
They then bully you for petty gains?
Buried in a sea of atrocities and humiliations,
No shame is displayed by them,
At dismal failure of their promises.
Why should they feel shame?
As you repeat this unending cycle,
A willing participant in this insanity.
You are in a mire, you helped create,
Where fascists and murderers are torch bearers.
Projected as messiahs for restless souls,
You the voters aiding the killers,
Of your conscious and noble soul.
©Perveiz Ali

A poet's disposition is happy,
No time for those moods so ******.
Sighting the good each tedious day,
Even as others for peace earnestly pray.

Joining hands with torch bearers,
Guidance of the steps of pallbearers.
Watering thoughts of verse weavers,
They are messengers of burden relievers.

Abhor bloodshed but love the ink,
To foster the ground with  green and pink,
Full of wisdom and  free from  double think,
To promote the love,  peace and soulful drink

"Live and let live" a poetic theme,
In and around each color scheme,
To eradicate the disparities in eye beam,
Conquer all strife with Love's cream.
©Perveiz Ali

Pain and misery  a formed coalition,
Placed in our path to create a hindrance.
Unnecessary anguish jumps out the bushes,
Ambushing love and peace along the path.
Encroaching humble hearts and minds,
Dark deeds done to stop the march.
Strides to plant the seed of peace over the planet,
Rip out the weeds of hate and arrogance.
Tend to our garden that is earth our great love,
Water her with peace love and consideration.

©Perveiz Ali

Water Her

Water Her.

Pain and misery  a formed coalition,
Placed in our path to create a hindrance.
Unnecessary anguish jumps out the bushes,
Ambushing love and peace along the path.
Encroaching humble hearts and minds,
Dark deeds done to stop the march.
Strides to plant the seed of peace over the planet,
Rip out the weeds of hate and arrogance.
Tend to our garden that is earth our great love,
Water her with peace love and consideration.

©Perveiz Ali

How many massacres must we endure?
How does killing others, changes procure?
How many suicide bombers are being born?
Do their consciences ever leave them torn?
How many terrorist sympathizers we call friend?
Hardliners preaching terror is the new trend?
When next must innocent blood be spilled?
Inhumanity to man by man whose heart is hate filled?
When does the nightmares finally end?
Is peace and harmony around the next bend?
© Perveiz Ali