Will the Gaothans Change After Elections?

Will the Gaothans Change After Elections?, a photo by firoze shakir photographerno1 on Flickr.

once the heritage of
east indian pride
cottage bungalows
by crooked builders
politicians
hand in glove
taken for a ride
the silence
of the church
as the poor man cried
shunted to
uttan naigaum
distant suburbs
reside
leaving bandra
a split open wide
justice delayed
justice denied
towers of babel
over the corpse
of the gaothan
even god
left their side


“Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and give to God what is God’s.”
said the white cassock man his spiritual guide ...betrayed by a belief
the east indian died..

Will Her Life Change After Election ?

Will Her Life Change After Election ?, a photo by firoze shakir photographerno1 on Flickr.

unko paisewala banane ke liye
phir ek bar mohra lagana hai
badnasibi yeh kaisa bahana hai
main zinda lash marke
kabarmain jana hai
apni phuti hui kismet
par rajnitii ka mohra sajana hai
vote for change kehkar
woh itna change hue
yeh bhi kya afsana hai
phir line main khade hokar
unko ghar wapas lana hain

Will His Life Change After Election ?

Will His Life Change After Election ?, a photo by firoze shakir photographerno1 on Flickr.

eagles in flight
for his life
his right
they fight
so many
elections
have come and gone
he is still on the pavement alright
they have built bungalows buildings colleges
but his future his childrens future
still out of sight ..
flip side of democracy
in black and white
a candleless hope
a reliance
that rips him for light
his destiny
weeps tears
at midnight
marathi manoos
caught in a cross fire
no respite

boxed in a corner
airtight
he wont be
invited
to big bosses
house tonight

dedicated to gautam rajadakshya

Their Future Lies in Our Hand

Their Future Lies in Our Hand, a photo by firoze shakir photographerno1 on Flickr.

The Muslim girl child
must be thoroughly
educated
on her two feet
must be taught to stand
her growth our growth
their future
lies in our hand
unfortunately
the relics
the antiquarians
the rigid clergy
does not wish
to understand
the Muslim girl child
her path ahead
we have to plan
changing times
changing needs
create a changing
demand
Islam a torch bearer
of human love
peace and brotherhood
Hindus Muslims
Christians Sikhs
living peacefully
mutually in this
beautiful land

Child Labor

Child Labor, a photo by firoze shakir photographerno1 on Flickr.

99,259 items / 599,699 views

the child is
the father of man they say
bring him from
the native place
on false promises make
him work all day
meagerly wages
no time to play
his soul
they sodomize
his body they flay
hand in glove
the bosses
paying hafta
a future
a childs hope
betray
treating him
worse than a
road side stray
this scenario
in India
you will find
everywhere
it will never go
however hard
you may swear

Walking the Path of Peace

Walking the Path of Peace, a photo by firoze shakir photographerno1 on Flickr.

99,259 items / 599,699 views

walking
the path of peace
at bandra east
om mani padme hoon
to say the least
man a sinner
more terrorizing
than a beast
man on the blood of man
loves to feast
walking a tightrope
in the garb of a politician
or a priest
creating
a world of hate
on a short term lease
creating mischief
will he cease
natures resources
he has unnecessarily
fleeced
polluted the earth
with more disease
a war on the soul
of humanity
unleashed


to benn bell

Photoshopping The Soul of a Father In Law

Photoshopping The Soul of a Father In Law, a photo by firoze shakir photographerno1 on Flickr.

the drowning man
seeks a straw
held in
the throes
of a jigsaw
a bleeding
spirituality
shock and awe
duplicate layers
filtered flaw
adjustments
corel draw
illustrator
photoshopping
the soul of
a father in law
a leopards attire
a tigers claw
a stubborn head
that cuts a hacksaw