Karachi Odyssey

BIGOTS-IN-MAKING

innocent happy boys
in green pugrees
smiling, frolicking
little boys


KARACHI F-M STATIONS

mixed music news format
light, pop, classics
with news and light banter
between hosts
with unconcealed
phony foreign accents


GODLINESS

in this ever whirling city
of aloofness
small, kind gestures
elevates one to
godliness


SUICIDE ATTACKS

long distance call from T.O.
‘where are you?’
‘home,’ smoking sheesha at Damascus
I lied
‘good! there is a rocket attack
at Guru Mandir. Don’t go out.’

later, another call

‘where are you?’
‘home,’ I was getting better!
was smoking sheesha at Caffeine
by the Sea View
‘good! there has been a bombing
at SITE. Don’t go out.’

later, another call

‘where are you?’
‘home!’
am at the crowded Copper Kettle
amidst the hustle of heeled unconcern
and I know another suicide bomber
has met his fate somewhere in this city

and as I try to catch the waiter’s attention
I observe life moves on blocking
caring concern
and the urgency of breaking news
on the networks.


DOORS

the key here
is not to look in the eyes
to talk as if addressing a wall
and drop names
this rudeness
opens most doors.


DEAF

everywhere here
one submits to security checks
and as I pass through them
my swiss army knife
visible from the waist pouch
and the steel toes in the shoes
are invariably picked up
by the fixed and hand held sensors
beep-beep, beep-beep
yet they invariably wave me through
i must have an innocent face
or….


KARACHI SUB-TEXTS

we know so little
we know so much

chromosomes, pairing
blocked tubes
cut off veins, arteries
moon’s perennial affect
on tides and (e)motions

an ant’s mile
and a rocket’s
are the same

and a constant time
is relative

relatives
relationships
constant upheavel


BEGGAR'S FACE - I

walking in the city
between the Sweet and Sour Doors*
absorbing the ambience
old buildings with Om grills
came across this sign
“free lunch between 1-2pm”
and a squatting line up
faces old and young
destitutes and infirm
and in that line
i saw this beggar child
pink round face
sparkling eyes

been to palatial homes
elite clubs and hotels
easily this was
the most beautiful face
i had seen in the city of lights

*KharaDar, MeethaDar



BEGGAR'S FACE - II

the poet could be so verbose
and irritatingly obtuse
talking of male model’s faces
in the media
he recalls
this perfectly chiseled face
on the body of a paraplegic beggar
found on the boulevard
across from Mehran
on Shahrah e Faisal
most days


INHUMAN

…is
when they kill, maim or crush
without a wince
or a smile