Conversing In Punjab

CONVERSING IN PUNJAB

Intriguing, cinnamon brown skin

pulls at me and I wonder...

Is your name exotic,

like Himalayan wind,

jade tree flowers,

and the way Punjab is diverse in scenes?

Are you inquisitive

like the flowing Ganges,

or do you swim only in its long traditions?

Would you walk the dangers

alive with liberation

found in pathways of Bhagat Singh,

or the Naxalbari uprising?

Would you read the writings of Ahrundati Roy

and the poetry of Javba Khater?

Or do you shyly wear the red dot

and dance the pre-arranged wedding song?

What is it that brings you so far,

to these distant,

Western shores?

I notice your eyes.

Dark, smiling with secrets,

reminding me the way

the Indus whistles

as it flows through valley jungles,

verdure shaded and

peppered with curry flavored life.

Intriguing, the sounds of words

as you speak, sounds

dipping to ancient drums

and whispering tongues.

And I want to ask your name;

ask if you too

write poetry?

~~redzone 3.10.07

Author's Note

Many of the people I worked with came from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh... Hope you enjoy.. crits are welcomed