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  Opportunity

  Sometimes you hear a knock

  Quiet, but you know it’s there

  Who is it at the door

  To who you must give care?

  It doesn’t happen often

  This visitor doesn’t always come

  But it cannot be ignored

  Something must be done

  This could change your life

  It could be the boost you need

  You may be feeling stuck

  This could set you free

  Some take the chance

  Others the hard way learn

  Opportunity is quick to leave

  And late to return

  Rushing is roughness

  Rushing is roughness

  Nothing is handled with care

  And too much rushing makes you sick

  With headaches and anxiety

  A steady pace is gentle

  And the speed is just right

  Even one act done with gentleness

  Makes you a bit calmer

  Rushing is ugly

  Gentleness is beauty

  See how gently the bird lands

  On a branch of a tree

  Rushing is intimidating

  Gentleness is more friendly

  Let rushing rush ahead

  Tripping and slipping

  Annoying others and itself

  Getting into accidents

  And feeling miserable

  Watch gentleness walk past

  At a steady pace

  With a smile

  Pleased, and pleasing others.

  Spinning the wheel

  When you stop heating water

  It still stays warm

  It takes a while to cool

  When you take something out of a freezer

  It still stays cold for a while

  And takes time to defrost

  Spin a wheel

  Keep spinning, spinning

  Then stop

  It still moves!

  It won’t stop straight away

  But will after time

  The heavier and more solid the wheel

  The quicker it stops

  The lighter and more flimsy the wheel

  The longer it takes to stop

  Working in an office job

  Using the mind, the wheel, all day

  Constantly turning, turning, spinning!

  It won’t stop spinning, exactly at 5pm!

  But the stronger you are,

  The more control you have

  The quicker it stops

  The less control you have

  The longer it takes to stop

  And may even keep moving

  When you should be asleep

  Take back control.

  Striving

  How is a beautiful sculpture made?

  Carved carefully, with effort

  How is glass made?

  Sand is heated

  Under extremely high temperatures

  How is metal shaped?

  Again, put into a furnace

  In tough conditions

  Stone, wood, glass, metal

  All materials must endure strain

  To be made into something that is at once

  Both beautiful, and useful

  So what of us?

  Worth more than all these materials?

  How can we become beautiful, and useful to others

  Without struggle?

  Indeed, souls are sharpened, strengthened

  Through struggle, striving, and patience

  Under testing conditions

  Yes. Edification of the soul – only through striving.

  Struggle is needed

  Who likes struggle?

  Most of us prefer comfort

  But, let’s think a minute:

  Unless babies struggled and built up strength

  They would never learn to walk

  Unless a child struggles with words and sounds

  They would never learn to talk

  If someone doesn’t struggle with concepts and numbers

  They can never sharpen their mind

  Unless someone struggles to improve their character

  They can never become refined

  Unless someone pushes their body with exercise

  Their body can’t grow stronger

  Yes we all have potential but without being stretched

  Even elastic can’t grow longer

  And without having struggled through difficulty

  How can arrogance be broken?

  How can the heart be softened?

  How can the soul be woken?

  Yes. A strong body, a sharp mind, and a soft heart.

  None of these can be achieved without struggle.

  When faced with difficulty, the smiling soul

  Wishes, and struggles, to overcome it.

  There is a truth

  When you look lovingly at a loved one’s face

  And they look the same, back at you

  There is something about this that is

  So simple, so beautiful, so true

  When you hold each other in an embrace

  And a sense of quiet settles you down

  All the worlds noises slide away

  As do your cares and frown

  When of us there will be no trace

  What will be the greatest treasure?

  Love, which is pure and sacred

  Yes, love lives forever

  There is a truth.

  There is a truth in every look of pure love

  In every loving embrace, and in death.

  A silent knowing. Yes. A truth.

  When death comes to you­­

  When death comes to you

  When your star-light fades

  When you are neither here or there

  And there's a dimness in your gaze

  When those around you have accepted

  That this is the end

  When you have finally accepted

  To leave family and friends

  When the soul is slowly taken

  And you move towards that sleep

  The soul is pulled up through the body

  [Never a soul does a body keep]

  And reaches your throat

  And the final moment has come

  ...Picture this, and ask yourself

  Is your work done?

  When the soul looks through the eyes

  Often we look through the eyes

  And see what we see

  But ah! When the soul looks through the eyes!

  There is a knowing!

  Often our minds race so fast

  Thoughts, so many, mostly pointless

  If they were snowflakes

  It would always be snowing!

  If they were sound

  Then oh! The noise!

  As well as snow

  A loud wind is blowing!

  And with all this chaos

  It is difficult to stay focused

  And really see

  What the world is showing

  But quieten the mind

  Look without judgement

  When the soul looks through the eyes, my friend

  The storm calms, and there is a knowing.

  MODERN LIFE

  Awkward

  Where is all this awkwardness from

  Where from, is all this timidity?

  Hunched, head down, like turtles

  Sideways glances

  Panic, at a moment’s direct communication

  Living, not even half

  Constant fear, paranoia

  Where from?

  All this is from ourselves!

  Influenced by others, and our lifestyles

  But ultimately, our choice

  Cats

  Why have we become like cats

  Craving comfort

  Yes we strive, and strive

  But for comfort

  And if comfo
rt was already there

  We probably wouldn’t strive

  Curling up with the softest fabrics

  Warm rooms

  Sweet and delicious treats

  Just leave us here!

  We seem to say

  How have we become like cats

  Craving comfort

  And with this attitude

  How can we even begin to understand

  Th greater bliss, of fasting on a hot day

  Testing the patience, and succeeding

  Of staying awake at night

  To relieve someone else’s difficulty

  Yes, for the rights reasons

  Moments of discomfort are far, far more precious

  Than years of comfort

  Dark grey

  Depression – dark grey

  Dark, dark grey

  Formed over millennia of moments

  Of tears, compressed, and compressed

  To produce a hard, cold rock

  Inside us

  It doesn’t shift, and weighs us down

  Sit with yourself, and heal

  Dressing shells

  Each day waking up

  Feeling depleted, empty inside

  We do our best to cover it

  Our emptiness we try to hide

  Years of self-neglect

  Years of bad deeds

  Years of corrosive behaviour

  Has left us desperately in need

  Starving for reform

  For fullness, our soul cries

  But we ignore it

  And tell ourselves lies

  Hollow shells, with no substance

  And no reflective thought

  Just echoing what others say

  Like “Hey, look what I bought!”

  Dressing up, putting on fancy clothes

  And spraying on expensive smells

  But it seems like we’re just

  Simply dressing shells

  Early to rise

  Sometimes it’s so hard

  To get out of bed!

  The alarm goes off

  And I’m just not ready!

  Quickly get up

  Try and stay steady

  The go to the alarm

  (I put it far away

  So that I have to get up

  And in bed can’t stay)

  I switch the alarm off

  And start moving

  This saves time

  And stops me snoozing

  I’ve also learnt:

  The longer you stay in bed

  That harder it is to get up

  And an alarm is better

  Than relying on luck

  Let’s adopt good habits

  And try to be wise

  Early to bed

  And early to rise

  Leaves fall all around us

  Leaves fall all around us

  Every day, as we walk

  We may be lost in our thoughts

  Or engaged in some talk

  But they fall, they surely do

  Every day people die

  Many don’t see the next morning

  We wake up as they lie

  Leaves on the ground lie.

  And join long history’s page

  And seasons change so quickly

  First spring of youth, then old age

  Every family tree has experienced this

  Most the leaves have fallen, not many around

  Us, maybe our parents and grandparents

  Are left, and hang closest to the ground

  Leaves fall all around us

  Every day, as we walk

  We may be lost in our thoughts

  Or engaged in some talk

  Peace knocks on our door

  Peace knocks on our door and says:

  “Can I come in?”

  And we say:

  “Sorry, I’m busy in sin”

  Peace knocks again and says

  “Can’t I even come home”

  And we say:

  “Sorry, I’m busy on my phone”

  Peace knocks again and says:

  “When will you have time for me?”

  And we say:

  “Look, I’m busy, can’t you see?”

  Peace says:

  “But I thought it was me you always wanted”

  And we say:

  “Yes…but… not yet”. ?

  In fact peace comes to our door many times

  And we ignore it as it knocks

  We waste a colossal amount of time

  Till the stopping of our clock

  Procastin…

  I’ll write the rest later.

  This is how we sometimes do things.

  “Don’t do tomorrow what you can do today”

  Is a phrase we should try to follow

  But it seems we think we shouldn’t do today

  What we can do tomorrow

  Using this philosophy not much will get done

  And with this, let’s conclude that…..

  Sins

  Sins make you heavy

  They slow you down

  Sins stop you from smiling

  And make you frown

  Sins make you feel worse

  They make you feel shame

  You don't feel clean

  The inside feels stained

  Sins take your fire

  You feel cold like ice

  Nothing moves you

  Nothing seems nice

  Sins make you lonely

  You have no friends, or few

  You don't trust anyone

  In case they're like you

  Sins cause confusion 

  You can't think straight 

  Always uneasy, restless

  And yourself you hate

  Sins waste time

  They make you sad

  There is no doubt 

  That sins are bad.

  Stay on the right, son

  Hey, listen here son, sit up

  Stay on the right son, don’t mess up

  Learn from me, just live simple, straight

  Be an honest fellow, trust me mate

  These things other guys do just make you hollow

  And regret is something so difficult to swallow

  You follow them and you’ll lose your zip

  Throughout life you’ll struggle and slip

  You’ll always be in a stress and fret

  You’ll lose that spring in your step

  Even when with people you’ll feel alone

  You’ll feel distant even when at home

  So listen here son, sit up

  Stay on the right son, don’t mess up.

  Technology

  At the push of a button so many can be killed

  Bombs can be dropped on people at will

  We don’t even need planes, we can use drones

  Sit in our home, destroying others homes

  Tell me, is this progress?

  Yes technology enables us to do amazing things

  Look at all the convenience it brings

  It can help save us so much time

  But our sickness has also gone online

  Cybercrime, online bullying

  Spreading fear, prejudice and hate

  Advanced technology doesn’t necessarily mean

  That we’re in an advanced human state

  As well as making technological breakthroughs

  Let’s not forget to work on ourselves.

  The world is like a jigsaw

  The world map looks like a jigsaw

  Except the pieces keep becoming more

  Where did all this division come from?

  Why so much conflict and war?

  Every day if you see the news

  People fighting, causing separation

  It’s always happened in the past too

  Just now we have more information

  But it’s still not right, we must try together

  A
nd have a firm resolve

  This is one puzzle for which we need to

  Come together, and solve

  Let’s start with ourselves

  And not argue or fight

  Co-operation is day, see and progress

  And separation is night.

  TV

  We have our set timings

  Each day we give it attention

  One of our most popular devices

  Does it even need a mention?

  Of course, it’s the TV!

  Sometimes we watch it alone

  But prefer watching in congregation

  Rarely watching something useful

  Mostly absorbing useless information

  It holds a prominent place in our homes

  Every day millions towards it turn

  Even our furniture is arranged in line with it

  But something more important we have spurned

  The prayer

  The dedication we should have

  The focus, the attention

  The facing towards the Qibla

  Alone and in congregation

  We have put all this into the TV instead

  Life is short, let’s be careful how we tread

  Two ducks

  Two ducks were swimming in the pond

  Everything was fine, but before long

  One duck bumped into the other

  As it was chased, it ran for cover

  On the side it sat quietly for a bit

  But didn't wallow in a negative pit

  It thought of what happened no more

  Jumped back in and swam like before

  [Imagine it had been like us]:

  How dare he chase me like that!

  I'll go over to him, have a chat

  In fact, why should I be so polite

  I'll call him over and have a fight!

  I'm tell all the other ducks

  Then all alone he'll be stuck

  Then when he's on his own I'll come

  And say, "see, now who's won?"

  He thinks he can get away with this

  I'm going to show him my fists

  I'll hit him, peck him, trip him up

  His peace I'm going to disrupt

  I'm going to chase him too

  I'll make him into duck stew!

  Oh, he'll be sorry, he really will

  I'll............then...............

  .............yes I'm going to.........

  ..............................................

  .....I can't sleep.....................

  ..............no peace.............

  .........

  Which programme do you want with that?

  Which programme do you want with that?

  What shall we watch with our evening meal

  Yesterday you watched what you wanted

  So let's be fair and make a deal

  With today's evening meal

  Let's watch a soap, a drama

  Eating without TV makes me nervous

  With the TV on I feel calmer

  Heads darting in panic like pigeons

  Between the TV and the food

  If I gave a person this little attention

  It would be considered rude!

  But we look at the food just enough

  To make sure it lands between our teeth

  The TV gets most of our attention

  You'd never think we've sat down to eat!

  When I said we're having our evening meal

  One may think I lied

  It seems here that TV is the main course

  The food is just the side!!

  Which sauce?

  Which sauce should we have with this?

  Tomato sauce? Garlic sauce? Mayonnaise?

  So much choice, and we’re already full

  But still eating and eating in a daze

  Overeating has made our bellies stick out

  Back pain and ill health starts to show

  We feel bad, so what solution have we found?

  Comfort food! Let’s eat more!

  We should only eat when hungry

  And even then, not eat till we’re full

  Otherwise ugly laziness creeps in

  And one feels tired, slow and dull

  When you’re hungry, food tastes so much nicer

  When full, even delicious food tastes ok at most

  Yes, when deciding what to eat with food

  The choice is clear – hunger is the best sauce.

  OTHER

  All board!

  All aboard! All aboard!

  This is the train of life!

  First stop – as babies

  So helpless and in need

  They could grow so big

  They are our seeds

  Some get off the train here

  And in infancy, die

  Next stop is youth

  Passion bubbles in the chest

  Used badly, it brings out the worst

  Used well, it brings out the best

  Some get off the train here

  And in the prime of youth, die

  Next stop, middle age

  Some have learnt and the self is tamed

  Some are just increasing in age

  And the soul is just the same

  Some get off the train here

  And in “middle” age, they die

  Old age, the mind may still be sharp

  But the body begins to slow and ache

  Seeing loved ones dying around us

  Makes the heart cry and break

  But the journey is ending

  This is the final stop

  Anyone still on the train

  Will have to get off

  Death comes, sooner or later

  This is the train of life.

  Old friends

  How I love the simile!

  It is like an old friend

  Always answers the call

  Always its help it lends

  When I want to explain something

  It really helps me out

  But there’s another dear friend

  Who I must talk about

  The metaphor!

  I love the metaphor so much!!

  Yes, the metaphor is a precious pearl

  In something so small

  So much value, and beauty

  In a few words, the whole

  The simile and metaphor

  With another dear friend, rhyme

  They’ve always stayed together

  And stood the test of time

  Even when my days are over

  And from this mortal realm I’m gone

  I know metaphor, simile and rhyme

  Their friendship will carry on.

  Orange

  A glow, a sudden brightness

  On her face

  Energy and laughter

  It seems the colour orange

  Beams from inside her

  The sun, matching her brightness

  Our child, brightening our lives

  When Mr Grumpy died

  Ferocious fever had gripped him

  “This is the end!” he cried

  He thought the earth beneath him

  Had shook its head and sighed

  His relatives rushed to see him

  With them he used to confide

  All his complaints about the world

  And they were still at his side

  He was still so angry

  The anger made his eyes open wide

  His face grew stern and hot

  He felt everyone had lied

  He felt things for him had been tough

  And everyone else had an easy ride

  This was his last thought

  As Mr Grumpy died

  [Soon it was morning, the sun was out

  And children laughed and played outside

  Thousands of scenes like this in his life

  He could have seen them, he n
ever tried]

  Who lifted the door of Khyber?

  Who lifted the door of Khyber?

  He is Ali, he is Haider

  Lion of God, defender of truth

  Like Ali there is no youth

  His name gives strength, helps overcome

  Over so many so few have won

  Whoever loves Ali truly wins

  Because love of Ali burns up sins

  The Prophet is the city of knowledge, Ali is its gate

  Stop looking for another entrance, give up your hate

  Feeling peace and joy, truths you begin to see

  When you say with love and zest the name of Ali.

  ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

 
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