Message on the Bathroom Mirror

On a chilly dawn

When the warm spray bite my skin sweet

When the steam fills a tiny bathroom

(Like your smell of lily and ginger and softness

Does in my mind)

A  face emerge

 on the mirror

against the contrast of the haze

The two dot eyes and

the lipstick stain (that makes sense now )

beam back at me 

The school play

In a dusty play ground in Kabul
cleared of landmines
three boys play football
till the shadows sketch long
till the curfew starts
Jameel & Ahmed kick the ball
while Rafeek
keeps the goal
with his wooden leg
it is hard to kick
you know

At a small dinner table
a family listens
to their daughter’s script
for the school play
the father gulps water
it is hard to swallow
with emotions
heavy
sitting a lump
in one’s throat
you know

Happy memories

Hands in the sand
Feet in the waves
Face in the sun
A memory deep within

Theory on the beginning of the universe

It all began
with a hum
a mother's lullaby
a tune of the heart strings
unsettling the old truth
and changing it
one day
with a sigh
it will end

Amidst boats

Reluctant pose

Opera house - Hanoi