Zoya Zaidi

2016-08-10
Hi friends old and new, I indeed am touched by your responses!
It is a pity, I am not able to long on for ages at a stretch these days... But I am very much around!
Shall post something new soon!
Love, you all, and our old and deep association...
Love, Zoya

2016-02-07
Well written Victor!
But, absence will still be noted!
Zoya

2016-02-07
Well written Victor!
But, absence will still be noted!
Zoya

2016-02-07
Well written Victor!
But, absence will still be noted!
Zoya

2015-08-06
Thanks folks and the editorial team for the nice comments and featuring!
Zoya

2014-09-24
As one of the great writers wrote, when we are reading a short story or a novel, we are not reading the story, but our own experiences into the storiy. When a story strikes a chord with us, it actually reminds us or expresses one of our own experiences and we feel as if it is telling that what already exists in our hearts...
As Ghalib, one of the most fabled poets of Urdu said in a couplet:
" Dekhna Taqreer ki lazzat kay jo us nay kaha,
MaiN nay yeh Samjha ke go ke yeh bhi mere dil maiN hai"
Translation:
"Look at his eloquence, that what he said,
I thought, this is exactly, what is in my heart"
Ghalib
So writing stories and telling people about their own experiences is the art of story telling... and that is why, if a poet/ writer makes the reader feel, he has expressed the feelings of the reader, his job is done...
So, a story, once its written is no longer yours, it belongs to the reader...
Lovely piece Carmen!
Zoya

2014-09-24
Dear Stewart,
While he sat under the tree and wrote in the fading light of the afternoon:

"O, for a draught of vintage!
That had been cooled a long age in
the deep-delved earth,
Tasting of flora and the country green,
Dance, and Provençal song, and the sun burnt mirth!
O, for a beaker full of warm South,
Full of the true, the bashful Hippocrene,
With beaded bubbles winking at the brim,
And the puple stained mouth,
That I might drink and leave the world unseen,
And with thee fade away into the forest dim._"

As if he could foresee his early doom, his flight fro this earth; That is why he chooses to drink from the Hippocerene, the fountain at Mt. Helicon, Formed by the hooves of Pegasus, the White winged horse, a source of inspiration to the poets' Muses'
and at the same time a horse who flies to the heaven and made into to a constellation-Pegasus, by Zeus, the king of all God, who wanted him to bring lightening and thunder from Olympus, which he failed to do...
Hippocerene, the poetic muse, Pegasus the flying white horse, his flight to Heaven, Zeus the God of Gods, turing it into a constellation... are all symbolic of the impending death of the poet... Here lies the genius of the poet who could foresee tomorrow, and yet go on creating masterpieces of poetry...

Thanks for inspiring tis conversation...
Zoya

2014-09-05
Thanks Nabeela, the lilting greens of Surrey re in fact very evocative and inspiring...
Love,
Zoya

2014-09-05
Thank Rob, they indeed were very pleasant!

2014-09-04
This is the photo URL: http://www.deccanchronicle.com/140716/nation-crime/article/cbi-finds-key-proof-badaun-gangrape-case

2014-09-03
By the way, friends, I have deliberately not used the photograph of the two girls hanging from the tree, because it too graphic! Too Gruesome. But you can find it on the net on the URL given below the poem here, of the website.
Zoya

2014-09-03
No, Sagi I do not agree with you! Modernisation has nothing to do with it. In modern civilised society, this does not happen! Sadly enough people in South Asea confused modernisation with licentiousness... It is not at all like that!
As for two sets of values, it is called double-facedness... You are something else and project yourself as some one else...
This is what has to change!
The mindset has to change!
Boys from cradle have to be taught to respect girls!
Society has learn to accept women as equals!
In a society were selective abortions of female feotuses is a common and accepted practice, a practice which has skewed the female/male ratio to a shocking 92 females to every 1000 male children born (when it should be the other way round: 1005 girls to 1000 boys), it is high time men started respecting women for what they are-Human Beings...
Only then there is hope...
Zoya

2014-09-03
Shells, this indeed is a hugely important and disturbing trend that is taking root in our country... It has to be addressed seriously, and must be stopped with immediate effect!
In fact it was taken cognizance of by the government, after the "Nirbhaya Case" of 16th Dec. 2012. New and more stringent laws were passed. Perpetrators were all arrested and pronounced judgement of 'life imprisonment', but they appealed in the Supreme Court and are still to start serving their sentence...
The matter was further complicated by the fact that one of the accused, who was most brutal of them all, was a 'juvenile'-just 6 months short of 18 years-in the eyes of the law...

2014-09-03
Dear Elle, It had been brewing in my bosom for a long time...
But, I could bring myself to put it into words, it was too over whelming for me.
In fact to date I have not been able to word my feelings about the "Nirbhaya" case, as the physiotherapy student was named by the media, of the 16th December 2012...
In fact I had started writing something on the interview of the girl's friend, who was with her and was the only eye-witness to the gruesome mass-rape. But, abandoned it mid way, as I could not carry on...
But one day this poem just came out about the "BadauN Mass Rape"...
Love,
Zoya

2014-09-03
You are right Peter,
People, especially poets, do tend to sweep such hugely important, but ugly issues, under the carpet.
But beauty is not the only domain of a poet. A poet essentially gives words to that what ails him the most. and a sensitive poet cannot remain unaffected by what happens around him or her in society.
In fact it is a poet's duty to reflect and sensitise society to that what ails the society.
These crimes, because of the misconceptions about "Shame" and "Taboo" attached to them, since time immemorial have been 'swept under the carpet'...
But, lately, especially after a huge public outcry- when the youth spontaneously came out and crowded the streets- after the gruesome "mass rape" of a physiotherapy student in New Delhi on the 16th of December 2012 in a moving bus, people have picked up courage and have started reporting the cases of such "Humiliations" of women.
As a result an avalanche of cases has broken forth on the social scene of our country. Not a day passes when a rape or a mass rape is not reported in the news papers...
Even minor teen aged girls and little girls of three or four years of age are not spared... most of them succumb to their molestation...
This a reality, which needs to be addressed very seriously and Now!!!
Thanks for a sensitive response!
Zoya

2014-08-25
Dear Sagi, I can see you know Urdu and Faiz.
I have translated quite a few poems of Faiz.
He also happens to be one of my favourite poets in Urdu!
I am happy you like this trans-creation of mine!
In fact it was featured at another poetry website: UKAuthors.com
Thanks again!
Zoya

2014-08-25
Well Clare, In Urdu it is very common to call your beloved, your slayer... Even Geoffrey Chaucer has used the same thought:
"Thine two bright eyes shall slay me my Love..."
And yes, a beloved can give as much pain as joy; Love can give, and does give, as much pain as it does joy...
Thanks for catching the nuances so well Clare!
Love,
Zoya

2014-08-04
Dear Nabeela,
Read her autobiographies, especially her first volume (She had=s seven) "I Know Why a Caged Bird Sings", it is a lovely account of childhood of 'Black' children growing up in deep south of Arkansas, and their travails and prejudices against them that they have to face in the first half of the twentieth century; it is heart breaking!
Her poems are also scathing in their criticism of the atrocities meted out to the blacks of those times in USA.
Love,
Zoya

2014-08-04
Many thanks Editorial Team for selecting this poem of Mine on Maya Angelou, an extra ordinary woman who fought all possible adversary to emerge not only as a survivor but a source of inspiration for many. Who used her experiences to make her stronger and drew upon them to learn her lessons in life in a positive manner instead of succumbing to her ill fate.
Thanks again!
Zoya

2014-07-30
Words put reality into perspective, give it a name.
Words are tools we use to understand reality.
Reality would be reality, even if there were no words...
Words only make it possible to express our reality,
to understand our selves, to give some meaning to our existence!
In this we differ from any other species on Earth!

Thought provoking stuff Carmen!

2014-07-30
Thanks Chaucer! (what a poetic name you have!),
I have tried to capture the essence of Gabrial Garcioa Marques, through his own imagery and recurring themes in his writings. He was unique and the very original 'Magic Realism' writer.
Love,
Zoya

2014-07-27
'...twirling skin tanned in flying flight'
I love this imagery Ben!
Love,
Zoya

2014-07-27
Yeah, Ken, Those who keep silence are good listeners!
Love,
Zoya

2014-07-27
Yeh, Elle, I have great respect for those who triumph over adversity. And not only triumph, but also go on o become a source of inspiration for others.
Love,
Zoya

2012-09-02
Yes Kathy, Those memories of driving down the favourite, oft-used destinations are so fascinating and inspiring... nostalgia grips you at times:
I remember driving to Delhi often with my mother in her Orange Volkswagen... we loved those trips- we would stop on the roadside and have juices or refreshments often... we loved that...
It has been a long time...
Wonder where you are...?
Love,
Zoya

2012-09-02
I like the refrain,
'I will sit besides you
... crumble with you'
... bleed with you'
It shows real empathy with your beloved!
All the best!
Zoya

2012-04-01
This photo is of my mother, in her early thirties, already a mother of four children.

2012-04-01
I know it is longish!
But, this poem was written only three weeks after my mother's death...
Love,
Zoya

2012-04-01
Thanks Editorial Team, for the honour!
Thanks for the lovely comments everyone!
Love,
Zoya

2012-01-06
Thanks Carmen for your precious comment!
Love,
Zoya

2012-01-02
Thanks, Editorial team, for featuring this poem of mine! I am indeed honoured!
Zoya

2011-07-07
Wow, Anupama, that is a novel idea!
Love,
Zoya

2011-06-26
Thanks a pile Ed. Team for featuring this poem, writ in a spontaneous flow, inspired by Roman Johnston
Love,
Zoya

2011-06-16
Yeah, Housam, one doesfeel like that at times...
Well expressed!
Zoya

2011-06-11
Yeah, we forget to "make hay while the sun shines"
and then whine for the lost time...
Lovely!
Love,
Zoya

2011-06-11
How about "Longing" as a title of this sensitive poem Sue?

2011-06-11
Short and sweet Eli!
Love,
Zoya

2011-06-11
A poem should be,
A piece of your heart,
that yearns for beauty,
for passion, for eternity...

A poem should be a song
sung in longing of your beloved
of your love for life,
for living, for dreaming,
for hoping, for losing,
for finding you feet again
after a near fatal fall
Like the Phoenix rising from the ashes
after it seems all is lost...

A poem should be a hot desert
where feelings gets scorched.
A poem should be a furnace
in which passion froths.
A poem should be a canopy of trees
under which a tired soul
can find some respite
from his beaten spirits
after a long days night.

A poem should a mountain peak
topped with snow
where the fluffy clouds meet.
a poem should be a fragrant garden
with roses, lilies and jasmine trees
of ideas imagination and dreams.

A poem should be a balm on
bruised and weary heart.
a poem should capture your attention
from the start.

A poem should be safe haven
in a world full of greed
A poem should be a cry
of a heart that bleeds...

a poem should be beauty
in words so to speak
spilled on the canvas of life
in a moment brief...


Author: Zoya Zaidi
Aligarh UP, India
Copyright (c): Zoya Zaidi
11.06.2011
My spontaneous response to this beautiful poem!

2011-06-11
Thanks everyone for the appreciation, I have tried to capture the spirit of the original in Urdu, which off course is exquisite!
Thanks Editorial team for the recognition!
Love,
Zoya

2011-05-19
Babies, they are such a source of endless delight to mothers...
An experience paralleled to non!
Love,
Zoya

2011-05-19
Tea making, and love making... A good symbolic blend dear Neelima, the whiff of the aroma lingers....
Love,
Zoya
PS Welcome to the Bay!

2011-05-19
Thanks Editorial Team for choosing this text!
Thanks every one for the worm response, it is a great source of solace indeed...

2011-05-11
This photo is of my mother, when she was 35 or so...

2011-03-31
Lizzy, So well written and so powerfully expressed!
The stark reality is all there!
Well done!
Love,
Zoya

2011-03-31
You know nature, those who have the capacity
to give their all in love, are blessed!
They are the true lovers.
They are so happy in love,
Because the joy of giving in love,
is much greater than that of receiving...
So, love away, dear one!
Because you know the real; secret of true loving!
Love,
Zoya

2011-03-31
Dear John darling, Don't think too much!
Just do it!
Life is too short for thinking and not acting...
Love,
Zoya
How is life with you dear one?
Z

2011-03-31
"Still feeling like trembling leaf in the hands of wind"
Lovely line Carmen!
How are you doing?
Love,
Zoya
How about 'Skype' on Sunday?
Z

2011-03-31
Kathy darling This is lovely!
A lot of depth in these lines!
How are you doing?
Love
Zoya

2011-03-31
With freedom comes responsibility!
Well done, Phyllis!
How is Kathy?
Love,
Zoya

2011-03-31
Hi Stan!
A good take on our world today...
Love,
Zoya