Shubnum Khan's Blog, page 15
March 16, 2016
Quote (Shyness)
'One form of shyness is characterised by the fear of making someone else feel awkward or embarrassed, a kind of heightened sensitivity or extreme empathy.'
Lyn Hejinian - My Life
Lyn Hejinian - My Life
March 10, 2016
Don't Forget to Take Biscuits (poem)
(For my beloved aunt, who passed away this week)
Don’t Forget To Take Biscuits
Our Gorikhala ate green chillies,popped them in her mouth like sweets
When I was 6 and my parents were away, she looked after us for a month, and I watched in wonder as she popped green chillies in her mouth, and smiled at me afterwards
Her voice was pitched, her expressions liquid, her love intense, her life a climb
The last time I saw her, her lids were low,her head bent,the colour drained from her face,and yet, yet, she said to me,
‘Don’t forget to take biscuits, to eat there. Take biscuits. You must not get hungry’
Our Gorikhala was fierce,ProudStubbornLovingGenerousGrand
She cooked mushrooms in butter and red chillies for me,leaving the others aghast that so much mushrooms were cooked just for me
She gave and gave and asked for nothing in return
She loved and hated fiercely, no half measures, that Miajaan jaath that runs through our veins
Stubborn, even in the end, she refused the treatment, preferring to go than to live half a life.
She was loved
Oh so loved
I close my eyes and see her. She was grand. Beautiful. Full of love and giving
She was light,
our Gorikhala
Don’t Forget To Take Biscuits
Our Gorikhala ate green chillies,popped them in her mouth like sweets
When I was 6 and my parents were away, she looked after us for a month, and I watched in wonder as she popped green chillies in her mouth, and smiled at me afterwards
Her voice was pitched, her expressions liquid, her love intense, her life a climb
The last time I saw her, her lids were low,her head bent,the colour drained from her face,and yet, yet, she said to me,
‘Don’t forget to take biscuits, to eat there. Take biscuits. You must not get hungry’
Our Gorikhala was fierce,ProudStubbornLovingGenerousGrand
She cooked mushrooms in butter and red chillies for me,leaving the others aghast that so much mushrooms were cooked just for me
She gave and gave and asked for nothing in return
She loved and hated fiercely, no half measures, that Miajaan jaath that runs through our veins
Stubborn, even in the end, she refused the treatment, preferring to go than to live half a life.
She was loved
Oh so loved
I close my eyes and see her. She was grand. Beautiful. Full of love and giving
She was light,
our Gorikhala
Walking with Abajaan (Sunday Times)
Abajaan is 93 years old. He came from India to South Africa in 1936 aboard the SS Takliwa. Everyday he catches a taxi into Durban's central business district and walks. He's been doing it for over 60 years. I wrote an article for the Sunday Times about my experience walking with my grandfather as he tells me stories about the changing city.
(Click the image to enlarge text)
