"My People"

For a while Mariam Jaan had a presence on the blogosphere and today one of her poems gets a mention. This posting in fact is an 'archive' posting that sat in my drafts tray and never got published. It's about 2 years late as it goes as is the introductory paragraph here. Still, I think it is relevant: 

I had a conversation a couple of days ago with someone who said that the descent into chaos in the Pashtun lands was firmly attributed to the Pashtuns themselves. Typically people like him propose that Pashtun suffering is somehow deserved. The issues that plague us are complex, and there are manipulators on the outside, so that assertion is not entirely true in my opinion.We have our faults, but we have such untapped potential. We are not known for bowing our heads before others; and this is surely one of the reasons that manipulation by others continues to blight us.

"My People"

At times I feel I am writing to those who can't read.
Some of you say that God is punishing us for some sin
but how do we win a battle we have yet to even begin?
It is said that God helps those that help themselves.
What have we Pashtuns done to heal our nation's pain?
I see us doing nothing but blame "fate" and just complain.
As far as sinful people there are many than us far worse
yet do they suffer as we do with what we call our curse?
No, they rise up and for freedom they give a brave fight
God will always be on the side of his people who are right
Wishing doesn't make things happen, only our actions do!
My people, you act as if this simple fact is something new!

Mariam Jaan

د خداى په امان

Da Khudai Pa Amaan - د خداى په امان

One of the blogs that I follow will come to a close (for now I hope this is a temporary close). Mariam Jaan has been a writer of poems about the Pashtoon people and finishes with a book, Sorrows and Tears (that can be accessed by clicking the hyperlink or by going here).

Mariam Jaan has picked up a following in online Pashtoon forums - here is a glimpse of her poetry, a fitting poem on Bacha Khan. The poem is the property of Mariam Jaan. It's place here is completely in good faith.

"Just a Dream"
by Mariam Jaan

What would Bacha say if he were still alive today?
I'm sure his heart would be filled with dismay.

For our miserable state we have only ourselves to blame,
After all these years we Pashtuns are still the same.

Instead of taking care of each other and finally uniting,
We ignore our poor Pashtuns and keep on fighting.

Such great things Pashtuns could have achieved as a team,
But it seems to me that will always remain just a dream.

For our sake, I hope and pray to God all mighty that I am wrong.
Nothing will make me happier than seeing us united and strong.

Mariam Jaan,

Where-ever you are, if you visit this blog, please feel free to drop a comment. If you decide that I should edit this posting, I will happily oblige. In the meantime, thank you very much for your wonderful poems. You are an inspiration.

Da Khudai Pa Amaan - د خداى په امان - With God's Peace

Tor_Khan تور خان

... verses from a distance ...

In my trawl through blogs of interest, I came across Mariam Jaan who has written an impressive collection of poems on Pashtoon/Afghan related issues. She captures the pride and the passion of what it is to be Pashtoon, looking at difficult contemporary issues and past nostalgia. I detect a printed anthology about to happen soon, InshAllah.

I have a couple of favourites, so I'd like to share a moment of her brilliance. The message of course, is central to the art.

"A Pashtun" by Mariam Jaan

When a Westerner thinks of a Pashtun, a terrorist is all they see
They have no idea of how romantic and chivalrous he can be

If you were to search all the world you will never be able to find
A man whose guests are treated so honorably and so kind

A Pashtun is a warrior, a poet, a lover, a politician all rolled into one
They have such soft hearts despite carrying around a loaded gun

No one loves to see the beauty in life more than Pashtun males do
For the sake of love there is no torment he won't gladly suffer through

He is proud of his history and remembers every hero's name
And he would rather sacrifice his life than live a life of shame

Whether gazing at his beloved, a beautiful flower or a starry night
His honor is on his mind and for that he's always ready to fight

Thank you Mariam Jaan, for allowing me to share.  تور خان