Learning to Breathe

REVENGE A feather floating in the wind she is. Not knowing what will face her, not knowing What she will become. All but left to chance. Now, a sunny sprite dancing in the breeze, With gentle footsteps mingling with the grass, With keen eyes searching for dewy clovers, With melodies in rhythm with the woods. Content, happy, with a curious mind! Yet - storm clouds sent from Hell gather with force, Plunging into darkness those gaping eyes Blinded by talons of fire and frost! That tender soul no more shall thrive, but be Cursed by the wrath of the bird wrought with blades Whose feathers she once plucked and plucked away. - Maryam Kaleem

Drops of sunshine pour Through a web of dewy leaves. Sweet Manna for me.

AN ANGEL'S PLIGHT Racing through, headlong into the darkness, No reason to lighten the heavy brow. Encompassed by noise, disease and madness, While in unsteady hands lies a stretched bow. Though I am sure to miss the devil's mark, I'm obsessed with a burning desire To let go, let my arrow pierce the shark And watch the villainous world burn in fire. Pause! take a moment and let me restrain This hand chiseled in the Almighty's name. Must I sin and have my wings plucked in vain Only to play the devil at his game? Racing through, headlong into the darkness, A heart yearning for rays of forgiveness. - Maryam Kaleem

DROUGHT There is no use, whining and complaining. You do not hear our meek, feeble voices. While you dance and rejoice in cool cascades, Burnt, barren - I lay on the blazing sand. Last summer did I harrow through the dirt, Digging deeper into my six feet pit, Sowing kernels I will never watch bloom - A meagre inheritance for my son What use is it now to keep that scarecrow? No yield remains for birds to snatch and steal. I have stood with my arms outstretched, waiting To be but denied by God's scavengers. So let me stand before this pleasant noose - A fertile ring against desolation. - Maryam Kaleem A late upload - dedicated to those farmers who have suffered due to the drought in recent years. Monsoon is here now, Alhamdulillah. I pray it rains enough. I pray our farmers live a happy, prosperous life. I pray they escape persecution. I pray they never have to take such drastic steps to have their voice heard.

THE WINDOW The window is broken, its glass shattered. Here we are! Exposed to the Southern storm - Strong winds approaching, how will we feel warm? To be thus unsheltered, have we not erred? Why have we not seen, why have we not heard When daily preachers preach and mothers warn? The night is bitter, when will it be dawn? Yearning for Your light, why is vision blurred? Though cracked and fractured, the frame still remains. Proof that our hearts can be redressed, repaired, And hearken to You preach, counsel and warn. Lord, may the glass be restored free of stains, May the soul be upright, ready, prepared To face the wild tempest that blinds the morn! - Maryam Kaleem

VEILED VOICES The setting sun may frown and scowl at it, Arrogant, believing it's seen the world. Yet it has shone o'er the East before it, Where the journey began, where life unfurled. Black cloaks against the golden desert sand, Veiled, concealed - unmistakably human. Hearken to the voices and understand The robust, resonant power of women. Stormy tempests may maraud continents, But veils live on immortal, forever. Standing steady with growing confidence, Enlightened minds - a towering figure. The veil she wears with conscious volition Just one prayer - Long Live the Revolution! - Maryam Kaleem

FOR PEACE Let there be stillness and serenity Let there be a fight against affliction, Let solemnity and thoughtfulness be Surrounded by a time for reflection. Where bodies and minds are engulfed in war, When innocent words remain unspoken, Faithful servants are afraid of the law, No! Is this the world we hoped to live in? Everyday villains are celebrated As great heroes to flocks of mindless sheep. Mocking, slandering, furious, livid, Selling freedom if your pockets run deep. Guns. Tanks. Bombs. Buildings sundered piece by piece. Amidst the noise, one voice - Let there be peace. - Maryam Kaleem

ON SILENCE Frozen fingers, Lifeless vision Take it all in. Gulp and swallow, Year after year. A voice unheard. Silence; stifled Suffocation. Soul - surrendered. Blots, blank pages. Ink, but no pens. Bitter nightmares. Buried yet breathing... Silent yet screaming! - Maryam Kaleem