Tahir Khan Arzani - Selected Poetry

#20- Warrior's Code

I am a warrior
Like any other warrior
I have a weapon
It's a sword
My sword is mine
I don't take it out every day
If there is a situation I take it out
But
Not everyday

I am a warrior
I know the value of a weapon.
I know how to use it
I don't show it off in public.
I keep it covered
It's a weapon
Sharp and lethal
I don't hold it in my hand
I know if I take it out
And
Use it
It can be dangerous
Although I know how to use it
You can just show it
You can touch it with ut most care.
You can also push
You can penetrate
But why to show
Why to touch
And
Why to push
When
You don't want a kill
When you don't want to see blood

Keeping the respect
Keeping the honor
My warrior code says
Don't kill the innocent.

June 2012

#1- Stranger In The Mirror

Some times It is not your day
Some times it is not you.
Some times you are not yourself

This is one of those days
When it is not me
When I am not myself

Standing in front of the mirror
I can't see my reflection
The person I see is somebody else

He resembles me
His face, his nose
His chin and lips

His figure
His style
His attire

Standing tall
The way he looks
The way he smiles

I look at him
He looks at me
Both admiring one an other

Staring at each other
I try to peep into his eyes
He tries to look into mine

Our eyes locked
His smile fades away
A pain appears on his face

He trembles
Tries to hold something
Drops himself on a chair

I look at his pale face
A crack appears on his chest
An old scar

A scar is green again
And a few drops of red blood
He looks at me and smiles

I admire him for his courage
Who is he
I think it was not me

I turn back and see
Red fresh blood on my shirt
Can't see the scar

Some times it is near and you can't see
Some times it is real and you don't believe
Some times it is there and you can't feel

Some times it is not your day.
Some times it is not you
Some times you are not yourself

9th June, 2011

#2- Red Tulips

Beautiful Red Tulips I love them
Always remind me of some one

Whenever I gaze at them appears
outline of an attractive woman

A beautiful face and deep deer eyes
A straight nose and petal lips
From the depth of my heart
My heart sinks and sighs

Who does it refer to?
Some one else or Is it you
Is it some one from the past
or
Some one from the future
at last.

Is it history or a mystery?
A dream or a dream came true
This remembrance of mine
Forest, night and moonshine

A dwindling snake path and
Hoo-hoo of an eagle owl
Mist, fog and trees
far behind a shrine

But, the face appears with a shine
Holding a red tulip in her hand
Standing under a tree of pine
I try to take it from her
She smiles,
turns and resigns
Unable to understand
the sign

Is it some indication divine?
or
a mere reflection in a
glass of wine.

10th May, 2011

#3- I Like The People

I like the people
I like the people who can see
Just not the flesh but, the soul
Just not the beauty and contours
But, my spirit and my inner core.
The deep feelings
I have for humans around me
how do I love them
and
How do I care More
But I do confess here
That there is some body
who is closer to my heart
more than any body else whom I adore
In whose deep ocean eyes
I want to sink and die
grape wine of whose lips
I want to drink in small sips
I want to sit with her for hours,
days and weeks, months and years

Mountains or deserts, woods or seas
Thunder or wind,
Rain or shine
I want to be hers and her to he mine
But wait, is it the truth or my craving
Is it a reality or am I dreaming?
Am I awake or sleeping?
Am I talking to you or talking to myself
Am I in senses or intoxicated
You tell me my beloved
That you know me better then myself
You tell me my beloved
I know that you know me
Better than any body else
Am I still alive or gone?
Floating in the air or
Sunken in your
eyes?

1st May, 2011

#4- An Intoxicating Shadow

You are an intoxicating shadow in a barren desert
Under whose deceptive shade I would like to sit

To avoid the glittery, shiny, pinching sunlight
I am the tired traveler wanting to rest a while

If weather and the desert allows for some time
A few hours, a few months and years would like to stay here

Wind or storm, whirlwind or rain, lightning or thunder
I am not afraid nor want to be terrified of any of these

I want to have flowers, butterflies, colors and rainbows
If you are with me I would dare do anything.

#6- Afonso

We can do much for this planet
In pin-drop silence of the night
Or in goIden shiny daylight
To make our children's future bright
You Don't know me yet
I am yet to be explored
There are stories untold
Which are to unfold
Don't judge me from what you see
You don't know how deceptive it can be
Who I am and how do I feel
What to hide and what to reveal.

2011

#7- Valley of Malala Yousafzai

Lush green Valley
Dancing Water falls
Roaring noisy river
Snow roofed mountain tops
Stunning beautiful faces
Fairy tale land
Punctilious sturdy yet
Blameless innocent band
Foggy misty mornings
Refreshing bright sunlight
Chilly cold evenings
Frosty freezing nights
Fruits, fish, honey
Children, men & women
God's wonderful creation
A Preamble of heaven
Land of Swat
Vale of peace
Dale of Gull Makaie
Valley of Malala Yousafzai

22nd October, 2012

#8- Sermon of The Alpha Wolf

Heavy dark clouds
Covering bright sun
Turning sunny day
Into black night.
Thick dense darkness
Humans mislead, sway
Can't see the path
Can't find the way
Spirits of darkness unleashed
Jackals, Wolves, Hyenas
Humans gathering closer
Listening to the radio
Sermon of the Alpha Wolf
Yowling, Growling, Howling
No human allowed out
Without wolverine dress code

No human female can go to school
Haoo haoo haoooooooooooooooo
Humankind trembling,
Pale faces shivering.
Some one whispering
Light the match,
Light the candle
Warning of the Alpha Wolf
Grumbling, Grunting, yelling
Don't light the candle
Don't open a book Hao, Hao, Haoo
Keep your females inside your caves
This is your faith
This is your path and Your way
Haoooooooooooooooooooo
Tears, fears
Cries, mournings
Dead body here
Dead body there
No comforting moon
Pitch dark night
No twinkling stars
No candle no light.
Demons of the darkness set free
All predators of human kind
Gathered together
Jackals, Hyenas, dogs & wolves
Yowling, Growling, Barking, Howling
Murmur of the child
I want to see I want to learn
I want my book my school
light the candle
Hush hussssssssh quiet
Wolves are close
They'll tear us apart
Can't light the candle
Whisper says
Be brave
Be yourself
Be human or they kill you all
Murmur, whisper
Grumble, cry
Fear, tear
Terror, Horror,
Why?

24th October, 2012

#9- Darkness Fading Away

Whisper, murmur, mumble
Fear, tear, fright
Terror, horror, panic
Departure of the dark night
Dense tall pine trees
Tiny birds arriving
Chirping, twittering, cheering
Silver line appearing
Darkness fading away
Through pitch black night