Karachi Burning

My home is burning down
in a blaze of unveiled hate.
Time again to curse and blame
and resign to the same old fate.

‘Islam’ is their shrill cry;
The faceless, bearded ones.
What choice but ‘surrender’
at the barrel of their guns.

A line in the sand is drawn
between my two brothers.
Amid all the blood and gore
no time for insignificant others.

How must it feel, O martyr
to be a few murders away
from meeting your glorious Maker?
For your sin, how much we pay?


Once again, as in the past, Karachi is overwhelmed by violent hate. She is not easily overwhelmed. I yearn for the day when this unholy mess and the blood shed will stop.