THE STREET OF KABUL

Driving through streets of Kabul
one snowy afternoon,
I see many scenes
each scene in my own image
some collapsed houses
others wounded by rain
the rain of bullets and bombs
pouring down
from almost 30 years.
I can sense grief of the nation
by looking at innocent faces
of the people passing.

I am in traffic lights
Trying to record the scene
in my memory
but suddenly a voice interrupts me
a young attractive girl
with a pretty, fair face
and beautiful blue eyes
having a small scarf on her head
covered in simple clothes
shaking as a leaf from cold
looking at me with hopeful eyes
comes to my window and begs me
to buy some tissues
I refuse her
she goes away and soon disappears
between the crowd of vehicles.

Finally turns the traffic light
from red to green
and I drive on.
thinking about the little girl
I regret my refusal to her
I wish to speak to her
ask her some questions
about her life
I am sure she has a story
that is full of tragedy,
but alas, she is gone
far away in traffic jam
begging people to buy tissues
so she can get some money
and buy a piece of bread to eat.

(12 November 2006-Islamabad)