My City in Flames
Photo: Karan Madhok
‘I see them drifting along the smoke by the ocean / to lavish lands which are mine no more’
This uncanny gets me baffled every time, when in despair I look out the window
When I perceive burning flames over shelters, breaths choked by burning ashes
Parching winds carry groans for miles and into my room
I grieve in silence.
High skyscrapers engulf in large flames, the city gleams again in dark
I can find a little life among all who probe a foreign land
The once-forgotten shore of my countryside throngs again in tussle
I will be awakened in the next dawn in solitude.
I see them drifting along the smoke by the ocean
to lavish lands which are mine no more
Burning shelters, stifling smoke, no creatures but me
Carbon sky over my head, venom in the holy rivers,
a dreadful stranded city.
There is a glimmering flash in my city, which drifts them away from my coast.
It may take time and compassion to raise these buildings again
Some colours may prevail in the gloomy sky by next morning’s dawn
I hope that a wind will knock at my window gate with laughter
And the city will flourish without flames in its glorious state.
***
Aaqib Khatibi is a freelance writer and author. His poetry and other work have been published in numerous magazines and journals around the world.
