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Spare me the last grenade

September 20, 2012

PHOTO: REUTERS

Spare me the last grenade,

My city bleeds like an ailing heart.

 

Spare me the last grenade,

My mind is numbed by the whispers of death.

 

Spare me the last grenade,

My dreams are shattered with every explosion.

 

Spare me the last grenade,

My hopes are foiled by relentless fear.

 

Spare me the last grenade,

My eyes cannot see a mother’s pain and grief.

 

Spare me the last grenade,

My innocence is not prepared for death.

 

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The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of The Express Tribune.

 Posted by Taha Kehar
 

Readers Comments (5)

  • Reply Asad S Sep 20, 2012 - 6:38PM

    This is something id have expected to see in dawns young world newspaper. It lacks depth and emotion. And explaining a very sensitive concept in just a few couplets doesn’t do it justice.If writing is what you want to do Mr.Keher i suggest you work more on your mindset and practice more.Simplicity is not something an aspiring poet should hope to achieve.Be eccentric and creative.Recommend

  • Reply Sarah Sep 20, 2012 - 6:57PM

    Very well-written, Mr. Kehar. Your work speaks of simplistic verse fashioned with a tinge of extraordinary. Hard to make out on surface-analyses! Do share more work from your book “Writing Words with Fire”. I feel people that carry a leaning for fresh verse must buy it.Recommend

  • Reply anrki Sep 20, 2012 - 9:43PM

    @Asad S – I would disagree with you on that one. Simplicity is not a curse. At least in this context, the mindset, the approach, the style is quit rich and profound. Eccentricity is good, but some emotions are best conveyed in a simple and terse manner. Also, the young poet has also published an anthology recently. He has a distinctive style – which is not simplistic or bland. Additionally so, I would request you to read the poets work that was published in YW some years ago.. they are very creative and inspirational.
    A word of advice, if you think you can do better, do it. Poetry reflects experience, not perfectionRecommend

  • Reply Hammad Ahmad Khan Sep 21, 2012 - 12:23AM

    @Asad S:
    The poem may be ‘simple’ but that’s what makes it so poignant. It evokes deeply felt sentiments tethered to the lives of every Pakistani. The simplicity lends it a universality; a clairvoyance if you will that resonates with everyone, not just the elite who can discern deeper meanings from literary works.
    Simplicity is much desired especially in the subcontinent where authors who write in English tend to wax towards the philosophical to the point that it’s downright pretentious. If you really want poetry that’s deep though, read the book; there’s an eclectic variety of poems, both deep and simple- notice how I steer clear from the word shallow because they’re not the same :).
    Keep an open mind and if you still need convincing, there’s a Facebook page with excerpts from the book:
    https://www.facebook.com/groups/247946825316515/?ref=ts
    Cheers.Recommend

  • Reply Sara Sep 21, 2012 - 12:53AM

    brevity is the soul of wit. the poem proves this.Recommend

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