-
Talking to strangers
A few days back my aged taxi driver Abdullah informed me of how Hafez was far from being a purist, he was a diluter of true Persian culture, writing in an Arab form. He quoted Ferdowsi and said, “now he is the man to study for pure Persian literary gems – go read Ferdowsi and…
-
The dance of Gods
The blood of Mahisasura dripping from her wrists His decapitation each year, year after year I like that story of Krishna At the back of his throat, she could see, the whole universe The sun, moon, stars, asteroids and meteors – his tonsils and uvula Did he eat them all? You offer aparajita…
-
“Going Home” – Wislawa Szymborska
“Going Home” – Wislawa Szymborska He came home. Said nothing. It was clear, though, that something had gone wrong. He lay down fully dressed. Pulled the blanket over his head. Tucked up his knees. He’s nearly forty, but not at the moment. He exists just as he did inside his mother’s womb, clad in seven…
-
Light and Water: Visual Poetry
Video: central Amsterdam under water in a poetic light display. “After having us cycle along starry night bike paths, Dutch artist and innovator Daan Roosegaarde has now turned his attention to the power of water. Just over one quarter of the Netherlands is below sea level and the sea is kept at bay by a…
-
The Body by Boston Gordon
The Body by Boston Gordon – Guernica / A Magazine of Art & Politics. The Body By Boston Gordon March 16, 2015 There is of course the cutting of the body. Lean away from that for a minute. Stand in the middle of a shack on fabric row and browse the cardboard bricks wrapped in lace…
-
The Pond by Gregory Orr
The Pond by Gregory Orr : The Poetry Foundation. Snapping turtles in the pond eat bass, sunfish, and frogs. They do us no harm when we swim. But early this spring two Canada geese lingered, then built a nest. What I’d heard of, our neighbor feared: goslings, as they paddle about, grabbed from below by…
-
Tupperware boxes
They never come back like lost socks, hair-ties, countless ballpoint pens Tupperware boxes handed out after parties for that morning snack, extra mithai, tomorrow’s lunch Monday night jolted me Searing pain A little boy in ‘trash pack’ pyjamas “You be brave” “No, you be brave” “Do you think they will keep you here forever?” “I…
-
Paris in the rain
Saturday, January 10, 2015, I was to be in Paris for the day to meet poet and translator Marilyn Hacker. I had many questions about her experience with the ghazal and ghazal poets; she was generous enough to offer her day to me. On Monday 5th I booked my tickets to travel by the Thalys…
-
In Amsterdam
Some English ghazal’s really know how to say it: In Amsterdam.
