I had written this on Xanga many years ago. Many many years ago! Came across it recently, so decided to post it.
Hometown
People ask me to say something about my hometown. So, here is a verse poem about it.
Which hometown do I talk about?
Do I talk about the green grass of home?
Or of roads that meandered along the creek?
About sand under my feet, shining like chrome?
Or the tears of memory that run down my cheeks?
Of happy days riding the rickshaws and horse drawn carriages?
Or of the forced arranged marriages?
Of sunsets that melted in your heart?
Or about the time when you are torn apart
And come to a new hometown!
Should I talk about the hometown
Where snow covers the earth with spotless white?
Where smiles of my children shining and bright
Show me a new world, and a new hearth
Where the land gives in abundance and mends a broken heart?
Which hometown do I talk about?
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About Zakiah
I write poetry and some fiction, have a book that was published in 2012. . . Stray Thoughts/Winged Words. I have four grandchildren, ages 16 and half to almost 16 months. I love the ocean, and grew up along the Indian Ocean in South India. I am a retired physician. Don't know much else to say. Thanks for reading.
That has been my profile for so many years. My daughter Saadia a great poet and story teller, has two sons; the oldest grandson is now 21 years old, doing architectural engineering at Missouri S&T in Rolla MO. His younger brother is almost 16 and taking driving lessons seriously and is in High School. The other two grandsons, children of my son Sayeed, are 9 and 5.
I have recently published another book titled Gulistan, A home of Flowers. It has stories and memories of my childhood and of a distant land which I still consider as my HOME., even though I have lived here in the US for more than fifty years.
Hope to see you on my blog.
Your poetry always pricks the heart. I hope you write more! I’m doing another NPM scavenger hunt and I hope some of the prompts inspire you to post a couple more poems….
Looking forward to the NPM , Val. Hope the challenge will not be too difficult for me. Thank you for the sweet comment about the poem
Oh that’s so beautiful and thought provoking!
All the expats have similar thoughts and words about their homeland/town. Just imagine those who have left their hometowns because of war; what agony and heartache they must feel. At least my nostalgia is just a longing and desire of my hometown that was not molested by foreign powers or dictators.
How beautiful — wistful and realistic at the same time! I think you have two real hometowns, and you talk of them both! Thank you for re-posting this!
Thank you Janet. I have lived here more, much more, than I lived in India. I have grown roots here, and the ground is so fertile with the saplings of my children and grandchildren. I am blessed.
When I read this, Zakiah, i think of your book. What a nostalgy !
I remember also Xanga and especially you . we had nice conversations despite of my poor English.
thanks to recall all of this
Love ❤
Michel
Thank you dear Michel. I am so honored that you have read my book. Yes, Xanga was a class all by itself. Nothing can equal that in my opinion.
Beautiful.
I am happy you like it.
Such poignancy. Thank you, for sharing this bit of your heart.
Nostalgia of a distant land is always bitter sweet. One feels such a desperate longing sometime, not belonging to any one home having to share the tugging of the heart with another home and land and people.
And so many of us can relate. So many levels to this, yes? (i’m just a country girl, from Sandhills in Midwest, but I pined for the Pacific, once I met it, at 5 yrs. old)
This is lovely and it sounds like I have heard this earlier from someone else. You are a strong and inspiring woman Zakiahji. 🙏
Thank you Rupali. Like I told Matt above, all expatriates have similar feelings about a land they have left behind. And I am sure the feelings of nostalgia can never leave. Thank you for your compliment Rupali. You are one in a million yourself! Love and hugs.
So beautiful, SweetZ! I think you are so fortunate to have two hometowns…two places you give your heart to…so talk about both of them anytime and we will be honored to read!
(((HUGS))) 🙂
PS…How are you doing? You’ve been on my heart lately, as have many other of my WP friends, and I’ve been praying for you.
Hi Carolyn, thank you for your clean and embracing words about the poem. Love you. ❤
I am doing well and my family is doing well also. Thank you for the kind thoughts and words.
this is beautiful and nostalgic!
Thank you so very much for the comment and for stopping by.
Hi, I tried to go to your page but was not allowed to do so.
sorry, about that. but i don’t what to say. didn’t do anything except post. hope you can visit again. thanks.
Is this one in one of your books? If so, I must get it!
Hi , I wasn’t sure if this poem was in my book. So I looked at the Contents, and didn’t find the poem there. You should get the book any way, me thinks, 😉
I just put up a post about WP’ers who’ve written books, created artwork, etc.
Please come by and share a link to your books, etc., (in my comment section) so other WP’ers can see and buy! 🙂
Thank you!
(((HUGS))) 🙂