Thursday Riddle (April 24, 2014)

Heera Beta comes to town
Donning gold and purple gown.

Ganda Peeda bares it all
Till the morning robin call.

Rani Beti wears her flowers
Smiling up at morning showers.

Achha Baccha always seen
Dressed in hues of every green.
-----------------------------------------
In a moment it is past,
Yet is present, don't you see?
For as long as time may last,
Every moment it shall be.

The finest time to humbly turn
To Him unto whom all return.

Rabb

Inspired by Shaykh Amin's recent allusion to Musa's (AS) unwavering faith, put to the test with the armies of the Pharaoh behind him, and the waters of the Red Sea ahead, surrounded by throngs of panicking men, women and children.

There is no fear when your Lord's with you.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When, in the distance, saw the tribes the armies of the king,
They slapped their faces in horrendous fear,
And wept profusely at the thought of what these men would bring
Upon them and their families so dear.

They turned to face their leader who had led them to this place
Upon the shores of death as they perceived,
And heaped upon him words of censure, anger and disgrace
Complaining to him even as they grieved.

But Musa turned away from them and silently observed
The armies of the Pharaoh bleeding lust,
"My Rabb is with me", said the prophet valiant and nerved
By faith that made him face the sea with trust.

And thus he waited patiently for well he knew his Lord
Had by His will delivered him from hell
When baby boys were torn from mother's arms and put to sword,
While he upon the rapid river swell;

So on he waited patiently for well he knew his Lord
Had raised him neath the Pharaoh's tyrant eyes:
A prince with luxuries that only princes could afford,
He grew up strong, intelligent and wise.

And as his people squealed in fear at the growing din
Of cavalry and men upon the sand,
He thought to how his Lord forgave what he considered sin
Resulting from the justice of his hand,

That he return to whence he once had fled a fugitive,
And say what should have earned him death, and how!
Had not his Lord delivered him deciding he should live
To lead his people here, assembled now.

Unshaken, pure submission, Musa watched the rolling waves,
Then sprung to action when his heart went wide
With inspiration from his Lord; it only comes to slaves
Who know their Lord is ever by their side.

It came to my Habib when he upon a Yaa-Sin breath,
Stepped out into assassins' open view,
And strode on past the steely blades that thirsted for his death;
There is no fear when your Lord's with you.

Thursday Riddle (April 17, 2014)

Solve the one, resolve the other,
And then combine them both together,
Describing a product of ruinous weather.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
You hammer a nail in my face,
But I do not bleed when you do,
You taint me with words of disgrace,
But I do not heed words of you,
You may go no further beyond where I stand
Except through a portal proportioned and grand,
Although such a portal would often be bland.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Two parts of HAND one part of FOX;
A space in the hand won't kill the effects,
But you can to free what is held by the locks.  
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Bazaar Rap

Tread with care: it's the Internet.
You best beware of the sin in it.
You know how they call this thing the world wide web,
Eyes on your wallet and your every step
As you stroll through the streets of this crowded bazaar,
Take care who you meet, don't you ramble too far,
Know the longer that you ramble, less the roses more the bramble;
E'en the roses aren't safe in this party of dead,
Smell them LONG enough, and they will mess with your head,
Just walk right on keeping straight to your way
Past the shops by the hundreds, watching well what you say;
This bazaar will remember everything that you do,
Everything that you say, and everything said to you.
So, tread with care: it's the Internet.
You best beware of the sin in it.

2014 Chaining Project Unveiled at Madame Zuzu's, And Another Open-mic

Last night was the unveiling of the 2014 Chaining Project conducted by the Highland Park Poetry Chain Gang. I was at the event held  at Madame Zuzu's Tea shop and Art Studio in Highland Park.

It was enjoyable to hear the chain begin with Arthur Rimbaud's Time Without End, navigate through verse describing a hike in the woods along a polluted stream, and culminate in defeat at a ball game :-).

The open-mic that followed was more interesting than usual. I performed Take Heart, Cabbage Wisdom, and One-Dream Child. 

Also it turns out Madame Zuzu's is owned by Billy Corgan, once frontman for the Smashing Pumpkins. I read some excerpts from his anthology titled Blinking with Fists. Not bad at all.

About the tea served at Madame Zuzu's... well, the water was certainly hot.

Thursday Riddle (April 10, 2014)

Although true and faithful I ever remain,
My colors I change again and again;
Berate me and hate me and slight, even spite me,
Think twice fore you fight me: a battle with time;
Your failure to sight me: unfortunate crime.

---

I seldom inspire a word,

And often the former imply,

I'm ever tween where the two of you fare

And where stands one questioning why.

Thursday Riddle (April 3, 2014)

The purest of heart my service employs
To make a sweet calm to descend;
But when we are parted, the innocent noise
Brings all of the sweetness to end;
A part of me sounds like it burns and destroys,
Yet all of me is a good friend
To mother and father and brother and sister,
Who on me can come to depend.

Published in the Society of Classical Poets Annual Journal 2014, Volume 2

Earlier this year, I learned that my entries were selected for publication in the 2014 Annual Journal of the Society of Classical Poets, Volume 2.

In this latest issue, the journal features the works of the top fifteen poets judged in the last competition held by the society. So this is an honor for me, having been published in the previous issue of the journal as well. I recently got my copy and was very impressed with the quality of all the poetic works. I feel honored to be counted among those who were recognized.

Get your copy on Amazon, and please support the society for the good work it does in reviving and promoting classical poetry. My thanks and admiration go to Evan Mantyk, President of the society, for his efforts to this end.

-KM