Adil Najam
Aitizaz Ahsan, flaws and all, has become the voice of the moment. The voice of a generation. This voice, which has become my voice and, maybe, yours speaks more passionately in the idiom of poetry than in the idiom of prose. It speaks most passionately in this poem – Kal, Aaj and Kal – that reflects his thoughts on current issues after his recent release.
Listen for yourself. And listen again. It is worth pondering upon. Worth thinking about.
Aik muhazzab quom ko, daikho, khod hum nay badnaam kiya hai
Part II here:
There are so many thoughts, so many lines, so many ideas, so many metaphors here that I would love to comment upon. But poetry is better listened than dissected. So listen, friends. And ponder yourself. Share your thoughts. But even if you choose not to, please, do think.
Note: Thanks to the various readers – 6 and counting – who have alerted me to this.
Bad governance on part of the PPP and PML-N, or their noticing bad governance and lawlessness when not in power, is no justification for Martial Law… they could have governed wonderfully well but the Jackboots would have invaded Islamabad sooner or later… PPP 2 (1998-1990) did not fall because of corruption, but BB’s refusal to cooperate with the brass hats on the Khalistan issue… PML-N 1 fell because of NS getting too big for his shoes, as far as the Establishment, personified by GIK, was concerned… and PML-N 2 (1997-1999) was dismissed because of NS’s decision to call back the troops from Kargil once he discovered the extent of Musharraf’s shenanigans…
In the immortal words of an anonymous General in Christina Lamb’s “Waiting for Allah”, “We are just letting the children play for a little while”…
No doubt very touching words, but please don’t get carried away. When they are out of power they seem to change dramatically, start noticing lawlessness, poverty and the despair and ugliness of their surroundings .He may be a very different person from the company he keeps, but we must remember he was part of the problem. In their Heydays his party had plundered the country as if they were not from us but invaders with a purpose to decimate the economy. They along with PML(N) did not govern responsibly and are the major reason for where we are today.
Abid, Toronto
I found (by pure chance) this youtube video which answered my question above. The verses above are by Dr. Jamal Qadri. Inspired by a couplet written by Ahmed Faraz in summer of 2007, Albany, New York (USA).
Well worth a read. Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ea5D3PAPdc
In support of Aitezaaz eHsan:
Khaak har Aamir-o-GhaaSib kay QaSeedah KhvaaN par
Khaak har Aamir-o-Jaabir kay taraf-daar peh Khaak
baaGhbaaN daal rahaa hai gul-o-gulzaar peh Khaak
ab bhi chup hooN to mujh par, maeray aSh’aar peh Khaak
yeh to apnay hi javaanooN kay luhu say tar hai
maeray saalaar, taeray haath ki talvaar peh Khaak!
tu nay barbaad ki’yaa arz-e-vatan ko maeri
Khaak a’ay Aamir-e-dauraaN taeray kirdaar peh Khaak!
Khaak har Aamir-o-GhaaSib kay QaSeedah KhvaaN par
Khaak har Aamir-o-Jaabir kay tarafdaar peh Khaak!
– Dedicated to the sad, shameful, and wilting memory of those tinpot usurper thieves who were, and are (aided by sycophantic worms) allowed to strut in _OUR_ Presidential Palaces, even though what they rightly deserve is a black mark on their faces and a place in front of a firing squad for their open treachery.
– Poet: (Don’t know. Anyone know whose poem this is?)
Aitzaz Ahsen apki Nazar keri hoon Ahmed faraz kaa shaer:
Yahi khaa tha meri ankh dekh sakti hay
tuu mujh pey toot peraa sara Shehr e Nabina