Law, like love and Stop all the clocks – W H Auden
Taking a cue from the recent events in Pakistan, Ammar Qureshi has contributed a beautiful poem by Auden in a newspaper. I love the…
The Hala Potter
During my recent visit to Hala in Sindh, we stole a few moments of that sunny afternoon to spend time with a traditional potter.…
Thoughts on Basant from a reader
Zia from Islamabad writes: Read it here >>…
Lies, Half Truths and Deceit
There is talk of war again. There is a familiar web of lies, half-truths and deceit. As if the smouldering cities and dying civilians…
India-Pakistan Peace Train (the journey must continue)
One day after the tragic bomb blast on the peace train, life goes on. The resilience of people in our part of the world…
On a Clear Day – A poem by HUR
HUR – a reluctant poet in Islamabad – has sent a lovely poem. It was left as a comment on a post but deserves…
A picture tells a thousand stories
An old man in Iraq looks at the rubble left after another round of bombing. There is a bit of confidence in his posture.…
Sharif Kunjahi’s ‘The Village’
Found this lovely poem in a piece that mourns the death of a prominent Punjabi poet, Sharif Kunjahi. Read poem here >>…
Don’t set your heart on bones (Rumi)
Little by little God takes away human beauty: little by little the sapling withers. Read full poem here >>…
Dating in Pakistan (rambling on the Valentine’s Day)
Mayank Austen Soofi in Delhi is an interesting character. A good writer and a prolific blogger, he is also fascinated by Pakistan. One of…
“Iraq’s four-year looting frenzy, the allies have become the vandals”
I had posted a poem on Iraq – Halaku, when you will come to Baghdad this time; and today reading the piece by Simon…
In every breath
in every breath if you’re the center of your own desires you’ll lose the grace of your beloved but if in every breath you…
Longing for Istanbul
Discovered some fabulous photos of Istanbul here taken by Nuri Bilge Ceylan. Looking at these images, my longing for Istanbul has come back. I…
Beautiful Bird
I am posting Fatima Hasan’s poem Beautiful Bird that has received much international acclaim. Read the poem here…
Love and reputation
Love and reputation, brother, are not in harmony: don’t stand at the door of reputation, if you are a lover. Rumi Version by Camille…
More on M F Husain – the great artist
I wrote about M F Husain’s persecution at the hands of extremists here. Parvaiz Alvi sent me images of his works that were most…
Why I love Pakistan? Top 5 reasons
The Civilization Pakistan is not a recent figment but a continuation of 5000 years of history: quite sheepishly, I admit, that I am an…
Two striking poems by Alvi
It is a pleasure to have read Pervaiz Munir Alvi’s poetry. …For now I have selected two poems – personal and profound – for…
The Cow – a parable
Amardeep has posted the following Sufi parable related by Idries Shah with a request to respond to his humorous interpretation. I left a comment there. Others might be interested…
By: Rumi