A Collection of Poems
by Yasir H. Khan

His eyes

I had written this on the topic of child labor

His eyes asked me questions,
the answers of which I didn't know,
that look had many notions,
abominable life empty and hollow.

Why am I working?
when the other kids are going to school,
an uncertain and dark future lurking,
nice clothes and food merely a drool.
childhood was lost somewhere in those eyes,
it was an old man in a child's disguise,
all the tools were his toys,
and we all are just passer-byes.

why is he treated like an animal in the zoo?
waiting for nothing but only a good meal,
forced to work... without having any clue,
emotions that we could never feel.

will there be any relief?
is there anything in his power?
or just pain, sorrow, anger and grief,
have YOU got any answer?

If I could alter my life

If I could alter my life,
change the way I am,
If I could undo the past,
take a fresh start,
I would have told you all...
the feeling of love and care,
I would have said that 'I Love You',
I would have held your hand forever,

I would have talked with you for hours,
plucked you some flowers,
shared all my worries,
given you a ride.....
deep into my heart,
I would have walked with you......
through jungles and places unseen,
I would have showed you all the starts...
that light up my dreams,
Only if I could alter my life,
If I could change the way I am.

You would have listened to me in silence,
said that you adore me,
laughed at my silliness,
wanted me to share...
all the blunders I did,
You would have asked me 'How I look',
said that you miss me,
Only if I could alter my life,
If I could change the way I am.

Its writing on the sand,
Its all a dream I know...
that can never be realized,
Will someone be there for me?
Will you ever come in my life? as....
I can't alter my life,
I can't change the way I am,
I can't undo the past,
I can never take a fresh start.

What is it that drives the human beings?
That instigates to strive beyond…..
It keeps them motivated….
> To fight on and on and on.
Its HOPE…..

I like…………

I like green trees,
The cool breeze,
A butterfly bumbling with flowers,
Nimble sparrows,

I like mountains,
Snowy twigs,
Droplets falling in unison,
The rising sun,

I like flowing water,
The busy ocean floor,
The autumn stricken leaves,
Fresh saplings,

I like birds making sounds,
Lurking voiceless winds,
The sound of bangles,
The music of shingles,

I like children,
People enliven,
Loving in lieu,
I like you.

Rain

Rain comes falling down,
Cool breeze eluding upon,
Seducing fragrance of the wet soil,
Freshens the breath that summer’s toil.

Thirst leaves quench along,
Trees dance following ambience of the song,
Rain drops being the orchestra,
Nature celebrates its own fiesta.

Making bubbles in the water,
Then flowing to unknown quarters,
Hidden tales remain unspoken,
Rules of game remain unbroken.

All the tiny droplets follow one another,
Comes down all the way with lightening and thunder,
Not knowing where they would fall,
Just keep their faith and stand tall.

Rain comes and goes,
Without any difference for friends and foes,
Leaving behind rainbow in the sky,
Which favors of your Lord will you deny.

Ash………..

On terrorism

When hearts turn black,
And night takes over aback,
The darkness of anger reins supreme,
Shadows of deception go extreme.

Cruelty takes over sympathy,
Kindness ceases to exist for humanity,
People being treated as animals,
Play with human flesh like cannibals.

How can you take a living soul?
How can you play a killer’s role?
Don’t you have father, sister or brother….
Weren’t you born of your own mother?

Harassed with death, abuse and fear,
All that emotions trickling down in a tear,
Cries for help, moaning… Hush,
What is left after burning?
Only Ash!!!

Some People……….

Stars shine on the dark blue horizon,
Too far from us…… but still seen,
Such are some people, loving and sweet,
Who shine in the depths of our heart.

A few words that they utter,
Gives us hope and courage that… always clutter,
Which we convey in difficult hours,
Like pollen from flower to flowers.

Their healing touch tame our pains,
And comfort us like summer rains,
When they clutch our hands worries fade away,
Like the sunshine, when dark clouds sway.

Their small gifts keep our memories alive,
Reminding us their worth in life,
But most precious is the gift of love,
That they express like coos of a dove.

Some trees bear flowers n fruits, some only leaves,
But then there are trees whose shade never leaves,
Some people care for you, some people miss you,
But then there are people who never ever forget you.

Pakistan

The place where I inhaled my first breath,
Fragrance of the air, I felt since birth,
Where I learnt to take my first step,
My feet touched the soil crop up.

Here I learned to love, and felt loved,
I noticed people, same as me all around,
Uttering my first words, learnt how to smile,
Other shared the same language as mine.

Tasted freedom, dignity and honour,
Got my identity, national pride and fervour,
Felt the emotion of patriotism,
Perceived colours through this prism.

Its beauty eluded my subconscious,
Mighty peaks took hold of my conscience,
Lovely deserts sparkled this sight,
Rivers flow in four seasons with might.

Piece of cloth that turned into a flag,
Boundary that turned into a border peg,
Anthem I learnt by heart, and held on,
Yeah, that’s my country PAKISTAN.

Under the Rubble
on the topic of earthquake that killed at least 73,000 people in 2005

I woke up that day from the comforts of sleep,
Sun had risen, as always it does,
Sensing neither a growl nor any peep,
I was about to buzz.

My wife was in kitchen and children at school,
No signs of peccary in my little hive,
I thought life would prevail, but I was a fool,
It was death that had to arrive.

Suddenly! Floor underneath started to shake,
The walls trembled and the roof crumbled,
Oblivious of reality, I thought its fake,
I fell down, concrete and rubble heaped.

My body stuck, I couldn't move,
There was nothing but pitched darkness,
No light, in any crevice or groove,
Cries and moans shattered the hushes.

I could hardly breath or whimper,
Worries and pain went improvident,
As a man, I used to feel mighty and strong,
But now I knew Allah is the mightiest and omnipotent.

My ribs pressed against the heart, then ceased it,
I heard whispers shouting death... I was dying,
The clutches of death silenced my chest,
And I went on a journey; unknown to any living.

I am in Chair

Yes, I am in chair
I have no fear or despair
As Allah made me brave than many
He gave me a burden which I can carry.

Don’t look at me with sympathy
But don’t leave me in apathy
I am no junk or trash
If given a chance I will prove with a bash.

My life may be difficult
Yet I am born Lion-heart
Striving for better without streak
Hope is still strong, never bleak.