HARINDER CHEEMA

 

 

Tell Me, Oh! Author Of Time

 

What should I ask for?

Tell me, oh! the Great Giver

Should I ask for a palatial house

Will I be able to carry it on the other side of the river

Or should I ask for fame or beauty?

Will it last for eternity?

Tell me, oh! Author of Time

Eternally can I live in 'youth prime"?

And will these adornments make my dust shine?

What should I collect in my vessel and what should I lose?

What kind of protection will spare me from the noose?

Tell me, oh! Creator of all the worlds

Is there a way which leads to your abode?

Show me that way this time by illuminating my heart

So that my soul celebrates its flight when from the mortal world I depart.

 

I Found Peace

 

I found Peace sitting in a shroud in the graveyard

Hiding from the world in pitch dark

"Do you live here”? I dared to ask

Without lifting the shroud "Peace" began to talk

That He has found refuge amidst the dust

That is free from Desire, Greed and Lust

He said he lives among the dead

The wind lifted the shroud to reveal his bleeding head

Broken and shattered Peace clutched the cloth

To save himself from people's wrath

I lifted His shroud and cleaned the blood

I promised to rescue Him from the world of the dead

I told Him that in my verses He could reside

And then there would be no need to hide

Peace can be killed time and again

But eternally lives in "Voices Sane"

Peace is my companion, my eternal friend

And together we will transform every end into a bend.

 

HARINDER CHEEMA

 

HARINDER CHEEMA is an internationally acclaimed, award-winning poet, novelist, author, editor, anchor, and motivational speaker. A distinguished Naji Naaman Laureate, she is recognized among prominent global literary voices and has been featured in 50 Memorable Women, Asia by the Stockholm Project. Her work has also been showcased by the prestigious Arsala Academy, Greece and Café Philo, New Delhi and her name and work finds a place of pride in "Vibrant Voices", a poetry anthology of contemporary Indian Women poets published by the Sahitya Akademie. Her poetry has been translated into numerous national and international languages, reflecting its wide resonance across cultures. As a motivational speaker, she has been invited by several colleges and universities across India, where she inspires audiences with her literary insight and thought leadership. She has also graced various national and international literary festivals as a distinguished guest. With a rich body of work and a profound literary presence, she is a proud recipient of numerous awards, accolades, and recognitions in the field of literature.