Haiku
…My City Hyderabad
Same stories in books
Same thoughts I read time again
Missing myself
Those old lanes
Those dim lit windows above
My city glows
Rickshaw-puller leads
My thought to its destination
In city lanes
High minarets rise
Call of muazzin rings the city
Some bells too
Domes lit on Eid
Windows lit on Diwali
Welcomes Santa Claus
Drank Irani chai
Haleems and Briyani for lunch
Dinner at Medina
Hyder to Sikandar
The twin city echoes the diversity
Deccan at heart
Far from here
Lives my mother, my family awaits
Net call
Call that recalls
My memories on every visit
Sometimes in tears
Qutubs shahs to Nizams
Rich past and subtle digital future binds
My city Hyderabad
24.01.2011
This famous city of antiquity
had its name changed in 1930.
We once called it Constantinople.
Today, it is known as Istanbul.
People located here in North America,
see it on the map bridging Europe and Asia.
Once capital city of the Byzantines,
it has witnessed many bloody battle scenes.
This is the citadel the Fourth Crusade raided.
Because of this, they were excommunicated.
This is a city rich in culture and history.
The Turks took it from the Greeks in 1453.
Does the name change seem as one of many quirks?
Do you want to know why? Just ask any of the Turks.
Since the days of Francis Scott Key,
this city has changed significantly.
Still standing is the historical site of Ft. McHenry.
The fifteen star flag still hangs proudly.
While Key saw the rocket’s red glare,
and the bombs bursting in air,
there were no tall office buildings anywhere.
Oriole fans are as happy as a lark,
whenever their team wins at Camden Yards Park.
The National Aquarium is something to see.
It draws so many spectators annually.
This is where Poe wrote about “Lenore”,
and the raven repeatedly saying “nevermore”.
The NFL team carries the “Ravens” name.
They meet their opponents with a formidable game.
This is an historical city on Chesapeake Bay.
Why not stop and visit it someday?