Abdul Aziz Minhas
Prosperity has made no difference to my nature
I am still at heart a poor man
Wealth has solved for me only the problems of my daily food, clothing and shelter
All of which are of the simplest
I am more exclusive than ever
My friends are few
I am not to be found in gay coteries
I avoid social engagements
I have become silent, reserved and introspective
Of a contemplative nature
Am I tired of life
Do I despair of fate
Am I one of those unfortunate men whom fate mocks with mirages of wealth, fame and the good things of life
Only to prove that the end of the journey like its beginning is the desert
A journey begun in hope that ends in despair
Do I begin and end with a cry of separation and a longing for the union which was once a reality
I simply don't know
But I don't think anyone else does either
There's an urdu couplet that goes roughly like this: 'Of my life story
I know only the middle
Not the beginning or the end'
To tell the truth
I feel mute
Unsure of my use
In vain
Without purpose or aim
Looking outwardly and inwardly
To the simplest aspects of existence
Unable to discover the road to tranquility
Playing my part in a story not known to me
Lost in thought and lost in time
I write poetry in an attempt to make sense of my life
And the world around me
Seeking to draw things from my soul onto paper
Seeking the ability to express real views through the media of fiction
Seeking a greater awareness of the power of fiction to evoke real pain
Seeking a story of genesis, exodus and ultimate redemption
Seeking to rest and reflect upon a story of slavery and shame
But what can I say that is not foreknown
What can I utter that is not foretold
When I only disclose
What everybody knows
And so I write in faith
Words of wisdom or slogans of despair
The emotions are within me but I remain unclear how to express them
Neither seeking empathy and enthusiasm from those whose ideas appear supported
Nor suspicion and scepticism from those whose perspectives appear threatened
Not looking for praise or pity
Not seeking to be ungrateful just truthful
I am a man clambering to relinquish
A man in a story whose conclusion is uncertain
But as a free man I must search for that journey
Welcome to my story/Welcome to my journey
I am still at heart a poor man
Wealth has solved for me only the problems of my daily food, clothing and shelter
All of which are of the simplest
I am more exclusive than ever
My friends are few
I am not to be found in gay coteries
I avoid social engagements
I have become silent, reserved and introspective
Of a contemplative nature
Am I tired of life
Do I despair of fate
Am I one of those unfortunate men whom fate mocks with mirages of wealth, fame and the good things of life
Only to prove that the end of the journey like its beginning is the desert
A journey begun in hope that ends in despair
Do I begin and end with a cry of separation and a longing for the union which was once a reality
I simply don't know
But I don't think anyone else does either
There's an urdu couplet that goes roughly like this: 'Of my life story
I know only the middle
Not the beginning or the end'
To tell the truth
I feel mute
Unsure of my use
In vain
Without purpose or aim
Looking outwardly and inwardly
To the simplest aspects of existence
Unable to discover the road to tranquility
Playing my part in a story not known to me
Lost in thought and lost in time
I write poetry in an attempt to make sense of my life
And the world around me
Seeking to draw things from my soul onto paper
Seeking the ability to express real views through the media of fiction
Seeking a greater awareness of the power of fiction to evoke real pain
Seeking a story of genesis, exodus and ultimate redemption
Seeking to rest and reflect upon a story of slavery and shame
But what can I say that is not foreknown
What can I utter that is not foretold
When I only disclose
What everybody knows
And so I write in faith
Words of wisdom or slogans of despair
The emotions are within me but I remain unclear how to express them
Neither seeking empathy and enthusiasm from those whose ideas appear supported
Nor suspicion and scepticism from those whose perspectives appear threatened
Not looking for praise or pity
Not seeking to be ungrateful just truthful
I am a man clambering to relinquish
A man in a story whose conclusion is uncertain
But as a free man I must search for that journey
Welcome to my story/Welcome to my journey