time
is my enemy
time
that fat clawing at my heart
time away from you
is non-time
limp and lifeless hours
opaque minutes wilting seconds
on liquid clocks....
Shahryar Rashed was born in
Gujranwala in January 1948. Son of the 'father' of modern Urdu poetry,
Noon Meem Rashed, Shahryar attended Aitchison College, Lahore; Karachi
Grammar School; and the United Nations International School in New York.
After attending Drew University, Shahryar decided to return to Pakistan
and did his masters in English from Punjab University. After sitting for
the CSS examination, he joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1971.
His diplomatic postings took him to Europe, West Africa, Tokyo and Bombay.
At the time of his death in 1998, he was based in Tashkent as Pakistan's
Ambassador to Uzbekistan.
Shahryar was an avid reader and was particularly interested
in drama and poetry. He wrote a number of English radio and stage plays
including "The Immaculate Puptent" which was broadcast by the BBC radio
for its English Service. Shahryar published two collections of his verse:
Hybrid (1991) and liquid clocks (1997), the latter being
awarded the Patras Bokhari Award for English Writing. A martial arts
black-belt holder in the self-defense discipline of jiujitsu, Shahryar was
also a horseman, and a lover of classical music.
Shahryar is survived by his wife, Iffat, and two daughters,
Sambreen and Fariha.
Excerpt
the long gaze
eyes of the galaxy
shimmering through ozone layers
depleting.
occult particles
floating curving spiraling
to the zenith of patience.
finite thoughts
trying to grasp infinity
in the blade of grass
pointed upwards past the last star
men in Sunday best
two-tone shoes
red bandannas
knotted nicely
across graying temples
are spread-eagled
on grasslands green
yellowing watching
the receding depths.
do they remember
the big bang of whispers
the black hole of conscience
the gravity of indecision?
the ecstatic long-gaze
in search of singularities
will surely dim our eyes
to the horror on earth.
and yet-
these days of slaughter
will open our eyes
and set us free to fly.
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