"Shaista.
That is a proud name."
I am proud of my name.
It is the Rajput name
for warriors
It is the Persian name
for poets.
Am I not then Shaista
the Warrior-Poet?
I am standing on the battleground
listing a little
Sword and pen at the ready
Blood and words aplenty
But I long for sakura
snow pink petals of my cherry tree
Oh brief, beautiful one, wrap yourself around me
So I can be
Shaista, the free.
p.s. Hey Cuban, what do you think? I wrote it this morning of the 21st of March.
Navroze Mubarak to all you sweet, kind, generous readers - today is Parsi New Year. My beautiful mother is Parsi Zoroastrian. Wear something new today. Throw some rice over your loved ones. Spring is begining (they tell me). Dance.
I am dictating this from my hospital bed to my mother who is at the home computer dutifully typing.
This disease would have wolfed me down long years ago but I am here because of the laughter and devotion of my two bestest friends, the dearest of soulmates one could wish for on a journey like mine.
So a special Navroze Day to my parents Perveen and Chotu, who keep me alive and flowering.
I thought you might be home, since I saw the post, but you are not. How wonderful you are surrounded with love and devotion. And your poem...so tender, so touching.
ReplyDeleteContinue to be Shaista, the warrior! Smiles and blessings to you, dear friend. Lovely, powerful poem.
ReplyDeleteA happy Navroze day to you, Shaista. You are a warrior - you can be, because you know you are loved, and you love beauty. Your poems speak about beauty, and in that, our souls live out the same dream.
ReplyDeleteKeep fighting for your health. One day it will come. Healing is often a process. Hugs, Jeannette
happy navroze onesaan. shaista the warrior poet. like it! Sakura wa kire demo anata no naka no tsoi wa ichiban desu.
ReplyDeleteHappy belated nowruz, Shaista! I like this ... We have a small thing in common - my middle name in Mandarin is 'shi', which means poem or poetry. The best thing about it is that the character shi is made up of two others: one meaning temple and another meaning language. I've always thought that was kind of neat :)
ReplyDeleteShaista, I have always loved your name. Because it is a beautiful name and because it belongs to you. Now, after learning its meaning, I love it even more. Im not great with the cyberworld so I've sent you something in the mail....Love you.
ReplyDeleteHi Shaista,
ReplyDeleteIt has been a long time since we wrote but Rizwan told me you were not well and I wanted to say hi and let you know that I am praying for you. I've been reading your poetry in my spare time and absolutely love it. Especially this one that is titled after your name. I think names are extremely important (mine means the sun). I've read it to my mom who is visiting me in Baltimore and she loves it to. She says to tell you hello and that she is also praying for you. Please let me know if there is anything that I can do for you. You are still one of the sweetest ladies I know.... Tshai N. Maloney
what a beautiful piece of poetry shaista. i cant believe i did not know you were blogging..i am blown away by your words. keep fighting. all my love serena xxx
ReplyDeleteI love this poem Shaista. I don't think I knew what your name meant before... It's perfect for you. Keep fighting. Much love and prayers, Emma xxx
ReplyDelete