SHAISTA

"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.