Kashmir | Poem

Amidst the chaos i pray the best for Kashmir. One visit to this place surprises you. It is because of the warmth that is offered from the people here. Their culture remains tall and well above the directed propagandas that penetrates the society. This is one poem i had written few years back when someone asked "What is Kashmir to you?"

Red is love, so are the cherries Winds are cold, yet they overcome all miseries Home to the Saffron, Famous for the Shawl This is my Kashmir, beautiful and above all

I brood under the flicker of an oil lamp

Peculiar thoughts, I attain

I ask, why only negativity, for the valley?

Why, the image of my Kashmir is slain?

Listen to the child playing out in snow – The bullet’s sound will fade away

Listen to the winds in the garden, making that flower sway

Let’s not wait for a harbinger of good - but act as one.

Enough of lives lost, enough of wars won.

I see, dew on lotus here. The Shikara rides the ‘sun-golden’ Dal A whole city on its water, for the surprise Surrounded by lush green chaparral The snow capped - sky kissed mountains Ready to mesmerise Visiting this place, so much love you gain Wrapping the tensed history they ask you to rise

It might have had its part of sufferings It might have had its strange fears Yet, the calmness of Gulmarg, Oh hear Spreading happiness to millions, here.

One day, the cries of joy will echo in the valley The fragrance, of Mughal gardens will reduce the pain A day, will arrive when we will celebrate We know, sunshine is followed by rain

Let us collect the pebbles, aid in forming a wall Indeed, struggle is omni present, willing to give up and fall? I am a believer of peace, let the beauty swallow the pride Kashmir is in my heart, it will hail Welcoming all, with arms open wide.