Haidar's Corner

Grass isn't green Like envy Grows over the heart Rooting decay Tomatoes aren't red Like anger A rose having thorns Pricks the consciousness Reality is elusive Like water In the desert Sand is white, yellow and brown Perception varies Like seasons Blowing forth and back Wind(ing), finds its way Haidarwali 201511291227hrs

To Whom it May Concern Dear 'Moments', you are fully in charge. Please remember that 'Yesterday' is no longer with us and he has handed over his duties to 'Today'.  Today is going to be working with Tomorrow.  Therefore 'Today' is to ensure that he prepares a proper daily handing over note for Tomorrow.  Also remind me to announce new recruits 'Now' and 'Later' as the assistants to 'Today' & 'Tomorrow'.  All employees should note that 'Yesterday' left because he couldn't catch up with 'Present Rules & Regulations'. Therefore 'Today', 'Tomorrow', 'Now', and 'Later' should remember that their status' are strictly on probation.  Wages will be paid on a daily basis and 'Everyday' will count the time spent with 'Moments' which will subsequently determine everyone's dues.  This means that 'Moments' ar...

Oh! such words you say that move and soothe! They glide into my heart like red hot knife on butter... Albeit my heart is diamond-hardened, By betrayal's icey choke, That left it gasping for breath! Still, let's see if this moon will rise To clear away the darkened clouds of sorrow That have enveloped my horizon... Haidarwali 201511241028hrs

This one fears to disappear. And so he writes. That he may leave imprints Epitaphs that mark an existence Words that inspire and rouse For mind transcends body And therein lies the sanctuary Of essence, we know little That motivates our inner struggle(s) Spurring, quest of a thousand puzzles And as we swim in these waters Our being dissolves into the flow Blending as the cloudy heavens As below, so above. Haidarwali 201511220713hrs

Verily In death is life, For every end is a beginning Upon the canvass of darkness Does Light paint A deafening ballon of silence Pierced by a pin-drop Numbness forgets what is feeling Until reminded by touch The smell of nothing pervades As much the fragrance of roses Our senses are aware To the extent we care And verily life awaits death For the beginning is the door to end. Haidarwali 201511210706hrs

"And so much is lost in translation." AAW Imagine the Hausa's use of personification in 'Ina kwana' literally 'Where is sleep/ the day?' Again He says: 'Ina gajiya' = 'Where is tiredness'. I mean how can one 'fully' describe/translate the Hausa word 'santi' and all its 'flavors' and 'melodies'?  You see many a times we are thinking in our 'mother-tongues' even as we write in English. But alas we lose the sweet ring of poetry and the sumptuous figurative use of words that are sprinkled everywhere.   Not to mention the proverbs. Oh my, how much is lost! Here would be an apt place to say: 'Kowa ya bar gida, gida ya bar shi!' Language and its mysteries... 'Santi' is much more than 'relishing'. It is that act that is beyond words that makes one talk of things or act as if 'inspired/possessed'! And in many cases the person doing the 'santi' talks of en...

I dove into the Seas, seeking the Floor and Bedding. As I sank darkness hugged me, for I knew not where I was heading. If a dream has kidnapped me please prick me, that I may be saved from derailing. Would I have known, to limit myself to lake swimming. Perhaps I do not have a choice. For these waves overwhelm my voice. And their shriek drowning. They rise and crush, engulfing. I hope a shore to meet my sighting. That I may know, it isn't my ending. Haidarwali 201511190947hrs

Dearest, Today is a special day. A day which marks when this flower's petals spread blossoming unto this world heralding the arrival of wonderous joy.   For all the seasons that have passed since then, 9 seasons this gardener has been gifted with the grace of waking to the sight of you.   Crude as I am, you've smoothed my edges and filed away my weaknesses while shredding my mistakes.   This journey's been eased with your presence and the much I've become have your imprint.   Let me thus once again go on one knee to renew my pledge, and as I do so, pray for many more seasons to brush us by with bliss.   May your heart's desires be in alignment with Allah's blessings. On the anniversary of Umm Hafiz's birthday. signed Baban Hafiz. 201511171200hrs

Sometimes to die Is the only path to rebirth Silence is the cry that heralds new beginnings We wish for days past When minds and hearts flew Floating in open sky free Not caged in Darkened recess, barred Inhibited, mum like a mummy This eagle shall soar again Each feather shall feel the rush Of the winds of imagination And once again from summit Shall we enjoy the Sunrise And bask in its full glory. Haidarwali 201511170909hrs

In the last few weeks the issue of Biafra has become a hot-topic in discussion circles amongst Nigerians. The issue is not a clear-cut one. Some agitators for Biafra are trying to divide Nigerians by stoking flames of ethnicity/tribe and unfortunately some people are taking the bait and emotions are starting to flare with tauntings and exchange of words of dissaffection and bad blood. It must be acknowledged that there are grievances which need to be addressed honestly instead of sweeping such issues under the rug. For any who wish to leave the Nigerian union, they must follow due process of law and order on one hand and must equally be accorded respect of their wishes as no-one should be forced to stay in a relationship they do not want to be in. Federal Government on its part needs to use tact and diplomacy in handling these issues while it safeguards the territorial integrity of Nigeria. November 12, 2015 at 11:07am