I come from Kashmir
where land is green & white snow bed
and I come from Kashmir
where roads aren’t black but are red.

I come from Kashmir
where Daughter Tajamul brought Gold
and I come from Kashmir
where daughter Nafiya craves for her father’s body and lost his soul.

I come from Kashmir
where journalists get Peter Mackler & Pulitzer awards
and yet I come from Kashmir
where journalists get charged under UAPA as a reward.

I come from Kashmir
where Thekedar gets benefits under the Roshni Act
and I come from Kashmir
where an internet shutdown of 551 days was for every sect.

I come from Kashmir
where Gupta g ranked 1st in the country
and yet I come from Kashmir
where youth have to carry ID’s to prove their identity.

I come from Kashmir
which was known for its cultural dress Pheran
and I come from Kashmir
which now has more business in selling Kaffan.

I come from Kashmir
which Allama called the valley of braves
and I come from Kashmir
which now is the valley of Graves.

I come from Kashmir
which was called Earth’s Heaven
and yet I come from Kashmir
which now is the World’s Biggest Prison.

I come from Kashmir
where Chinars paint the autumn gold
and I come from Kashmir
where every spring, new tombstones unfold.

I come from Kashmir
where Dal Lake mirrors the moon’s glow
and I come from Kashmir
where blood taints the rivers’ flow.

I come from Kashmir
where children dream of books and play
and I come from Kashmir
where childhoods vanish in smoke and clay.

I come from Kashmir
where lovers once whispered in gardens wide
and yet I come from Kashmir
where silence now walks side by side.

I come from Kashmir
where poets wrote of love and fate
and yet I come from Kashmir
where verses now carry only weight.

I come from Kashmir
which history books fail to define
and I come from Kashmir
which lives between the headlines’ lines.

In the valleys of Kashmir
Where magical dreams come
True and Kashmir is wrapped
In nature’s fine grace and
A timeless beauty a precious place
And Kashmir is the place to be

As the warm sun shines
Brightly upon me and
Snow capped peaks touch azure skies
Where eagles soar and freedom flies
And Kashmir is truly a magical place
And I love this precious place

And each season is magically
Perfect in Kashmir and the
Summer's warmth invites the sun
And Kashmir is my number one and
The autumn leaves dance side by side
Twirling to the ground and there's
Not even a sound

And the history of Kashmir
Is pround and strong and it's beating
Inside our hearts all day long
And Kashmir is a precious jewel
A hope that peace will conquer every fear

And Kashmir a
Land of pure beauty
Yearning for the light

So let us pray for Kashmir's grace
And Kashmir will flourish
Vibrant safe and strong and
I love this magical place and
Kashmir's beauty thrives and
It's where hearts unite and
Kashmir's future will
Forever bloom in the golden light.

David P Carroll.