Black Pencils

Hi Ras, thank you -- I notice you like music & poetry -- they are two linked genres, I believe...I heard about this idea of "call and response" in some music theory class....life's about that -- I'll keep writing, if you keep visiting. ; ) Ciao
In the nearest language, it always works.

Fatima,

Wonderful style of poetic verse.

Welcome to CHOWK!

Keep writing.

That time with your poem -- I'm sorry about that quin, I just wanted to stir life among the poets here. You know I always mean well.

I find it interesting that the writers don't want to comment after their writing. I suppose its a matter of difference in style and/or perception. I just wanted to maintain a series of amicable exchanges here, to show how energies can be balanced --and round two could be one of actual debate, point by point.

It doesn't have to run into no-where streets. You can defend what you have written, or clarify concepts to those who might have questions about it. Yes -- but its taxing, time-consuming or something else?

I don't really know. I like quieter paces and gatherings in which the discussions actually lead somewhere. Isn't that how you build a thinker's community -- i.e. society?

boys can play the gui-tar
I was stung by Jehad

the musical tension. Anyway, this way, everyone can feel they participate, and won't regret the monopoly of a few 'ruling' ideas or people. It would work better towards a democracy for the community at Chowk.

It is different from a newspaper, lets access these differences and make it inter-active and possible.
In the nearest language, it always works.

Fatima, yes, editors are interesting and clever, as it should be in a chess game. You very aptly said it. Yours black, ha ha, but the black in this game made the first move. :-))

You see my earlier poem about Mahboba Andyar, the editors waited until the right moment. And you may also note the type of comments it created. I knew it will happen that way.

To me her case was an opportunity to stir the soil so something may grow. that's all.

You know writers' is a dangerous life. May we call it a minefield.

Hi Saaria, you like that? I remember the time you wore the scarf for a few days, what I am trying to say here is:

you can either take the scarf, or you can leave the scarf, beauty is anywhere. Its how you hold it.

This obssession of the "modern" Pakistani, to HATE the scarf, the hejaab as if it was a disease is beyond my comprehension, when I picture Sherezade of the Arabian Folklore I imagine her veil along with her --

The veil is actually a symbol of poise, integrity and a sense of mystique...

Money can be used anyway...corruption of it does not speak of the 'paper money' itself, but the person who corrupts it. Then, money and veil both, (atleast to me) are neutral symbols.

People will have to take responsibility for what they have to say about lifeless objects.

I'm glad you liked it...certain days the scarf is quite the thing! Isadora felt it ..."why can't we?"
In the nearest language, it always works.

I must take on the hejaab

the sophisticated hue of
chalkened twilight, green in
embers, bronzed in forced light

Apsolutely beautiful...no one could put this better..ur a true writer.. :)

what's a feminist anyway? In Literature [which is more my subject, social activism is a very recent phenomena, believe me] a "Feminist Reading" is simply considered a reading that pays special emphasis to how women are portrayed in any one of the literary forms. You can take a feminist reading of anything really -- even an article in which there is an abject absence of the mention of any woman.

Thus, in the case at hand, your comment is far more feminist than my poem, dear friend...did you know
there are other avenues to read a poem? Even my less-skilled, some-what rough hand, can tell you this much, that in this poem, there is a call towards nostalgia at having crossed a certain age, to which you return as one does to his/her homeland. "crowd senses as usual" -- is a mocking acknowledgment to precisely your comment. I had foreseen it, but you...
Read it again, and make a more intelligent comment. You never say "I hate this" with no supporting claims, its a childish activity, leave it.
In the nearest language, it always works.

Re: # 5

Maybe the feminist in you is responsible for your comments?

In the nearest language, it always works :)

Yeah I just received it, thank you Parthaab. Your comment of course is the worst prize I can get for such a noble poem. (prize?)

I know what you are talking about Emera, Emerson said it well.

Quin, yes it was fun. I believe Chowk Editors are interesting. Its like playing one of those silent chess games. My pieces are black of course.

In the nearest language, it always works.

There is a prize somewhere for the worst novel. I am sure there must be one for the worst poetry. If there is, here we have a sure winner! Or maybe the feminist in Fatima is responsible?

"...I can't help it
the black-butterfly sits
so alarmingly near my
tongue ...

So glad to see your poetry embellishing the Front Page.
The enthusiastic compliment of Emera must reverberate with every sensitive soul. I can't find words to add anything to it except HEARTY CONGRATULATIONS
and keep up with those "performing salutations" and keep up the promise:
"I wouldn't let her fall"

These daggers of words, who can read and not bleed:
"I am a girl, they say
its a curse to be born that way
in the suicidal City of torture
I said it another way.."

Ralph Waldo Emerson said:
There are no days in life so memorable as those which vibrated to some stroke of the imagination.
This is one memorable day for me, the day in which I read your marvel, Fatima.
Nature speaks through your pen. The nature of ALL THAT IS, the nature of women in the midst of ALL.
There must needs be a purpose in your heightened awareness, that awareness of the woman you are. How wonderful to see a young gifted lady determine the right use of these special skills of hers, without concern for the opinions of others. The beauty of your writing is pursuing Mastership after your apprenticeship. I feel you are able to forget about fitting in or even being understood. You're helping women and men out. Doing this through art is the best homage you can do to all of us.
Bravo!
Emera
________________________________________

A voice-recording of this poem:

http://www.esnips.com/doc/29dae24a-e9ca-4e12-a63a-27452491eeee/redeyepe ncil/?widget=flash_radio

Thank you.
In the nearest language, it always works.