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Poetry Showcase [Political] Moderators for this section: Weaver, ochsterboxter, CadenzRime, Lingua Pura, ososment, carolynrn, Inker

My Mate, Azhar

Outline: Definitely not a 'clash of cultures' here.
My Mate, Azhar

My mate, Azhar, is a star.
Looks like he comes from afar
But was, in fact, born here
And has no fear

Of an Englishman’s laugh.

For, in truth, he laughs along
All the live-long day.

Until he hears someone say
Anything that would offend.

He does not bend but speaks
His English mind with Allah
On his lips.

He does not tip his hat to fools
Who know not The Rules.

But he will listen if you speak
And when he peeks
Inside your words

He sometimes smiles and recognises
Signs
And sometimes recognises
Wonders

Lost to him before his question.

But will not suffer fools who do not speak
And do not seek
The Truth
And who are rude and crude.

For, in truth,
He is an Englishman

With an Englishman’s laugh.

I read His Book he reads Mine.
He never partakes of my wine
But loves my coffee.

We are friends
And pleased
I am,
And proud,
To call Az
My Mate.

Thank God he came
Before it was
Too late

To renew a friendship
With Islam
That this
Old Christian
Had missed.
Inker
[Sat Nov 18, 2006 8:24 pm]
If only we could all get along so easily. Good message in the poem, Ron.

Hope your matey enjoys this.

Best wishes,
Inker
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Cul-De-Sac
[Sat Nov 18, 2006 10:33 pm]
Ron I like the sentiment inherent in this and it speaks well of you and your mate.
The second last stanza trips me up a bit, the 'And grateful/Am I/And proud' lines clunk a bit and I wonder if you could do it another way? May well be me though.
Only other query is whether the 'Old Catholic' is necessary, would 'Old Christian' give it a broader base?
Apart from those two small nit picks, canna say more.

cheers Cul.
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maipenrai
[Sun Nov 19, 2006 9:25 am] my mate azhar
a good sentiment expressed in this, pity what seems to work for you and your mate does not seem to be working on a wider basis.
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but suffer this a while
whatever makes a soldier cry
will make a killer smile

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Ron
[Sun Nov 19, 2006 11:34 am]
Inker,

Very Happy We can all get on like this if we are willing to listen and do not pre-judge. We all want the same thing really - happiness and stability. I'm pleased you enjoyed this. Very Happy

Cul,

Cheers mate and thanks for the corrections, have altered it a bit.

Last night, as he was leaving, he said, 'Don't take this the wrong way, but would you write a poem about me?' - he likes my poetry, hehe. I said, 'Yeah, should take about ten minutes, but you might not like what you read Shocked ' He burst out laughing and I'll show him this tonight. I hope he likes it Laughing

Bernie,

Yeah, mate, I agree - not enough open-mindedness in this post-9/11 era. Too much irrational paranoia between communities who used to be good friends. Some people should count to ten before they think, never mind speak. The 'good ones' in power in Government and from the Pulpit see the beauty in people. Wink

Thanks, all. Very Happy

Cheers
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". . . and in the end the love you take is equal to the love you make." - The Beatles
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Indie
[Sun Nov 19, 2006 11:41 am]
i like this ron, one, for the message: too often we fail to peel back the stereotypes and take people for what they are...there's a tone here that is enlightening. i also like how you've painted the friendship, it comes across beautifully with a deep respect and camaraderie quite apparent...

well done!
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Indie
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Ron
[Sun Nov 19, 2006 11:52 am]
Cheers, Indie,

Your review echoes my own beliefs. I was lucky enough to work for four years in Saudi Arabia 25 years ago, and if I did have any preconceived false notions of the people I was about to work with - don't think I actually did, but if I did - any preconceptions were enlightened out of me from Day-1. Wink

I'm pleased you enjoyed this. Very Happy

Cheers
_________________
". . . and in the end the love you take is equal to the love you make." - The Beatles
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CadenzRime
[Tue Dec 05, 2006 11:22 am]
Funny that. I work in Saudi quite a lot too not permanently, but regularly. Its changed a bit since you were there. Unrestricted Satellite TV is everywhere and the Metowa have been less agressive toward uncovered female faces. They dont remove or strike out things in magazines any more, I'd say they are on a path of change.
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Ron
[Tue Dec 05, 2006 1:09 pm]
Yeah, I fell in love with Saudi and have been keeping a sharp watch on any bits of information emanating from there. The Royal Family are bit by bit handing down authority to the people - I can see a full-on Democracy operating there in the years to come. Saudis are 'Moderates' and can read the signs. Youth unemployment is a massive problem over there with regular demonstrations. The Royal Family are listening to a lot of their protest. May God and His wisdom guide them safely through.

Cheers Cadenz. Very Happy
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". . . and in the end the love you take is equal to the love you make." - The Beatles
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