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In the darkness of a shamed night



In the darkness of a shamed night,
When bastard diseases patrolled Kashmir 
Poetry was stolen from the dead 
Verses erased from gravestones 
Dates reversed, Irises trampled
Histories robbed 

The old desolate widow houses of Jhelum -
Whose rooms were plotted by the
doomed architects of fate, were broken into 
Their Gothic windows broken, 
Their Mughal arches crooked, 
Their doors empty frames bordered 
only the most intricate woodwork from 
Ishfan

The Pacicdhars* who used to
Live in attics, were all been exiled by
The thunderous impotence of mad men 
Who set fire to autumn skies till 
everyone was a 
Refugee from Forgotten memories of 
An ancient nation, their identities crushed under 
one-ton military trucks




---


* Pacicdhars: Mythical guardians, which were believed to live in the attics of Kashmiri houses, and used to descend in the middle of night wearing wooden clogs, protecting the homes from spiritual ills.  


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