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Nov 19, 2010
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FULL CIRCLE: REQUIEM FOR BENAZIR (WINDS OF CHANGE)
FULL CIRCLE: REQUIEM FOR BENAZIR (WINDS OF CHANGE)
NOW:
No solace now to help them cope
A loss so hard to bear
A nation on the brink of hope
Dragged down to such despair
You went out in a flash of heat
In a searing flash of light
Work unfinished, incomplete
Their song was killed tonight
Just as the crowds began to gather
With the setting of the dark
They were singing praises to your father
When the mad man found his mark…
Two thousand miles away I looked
On as the tragedy did unfold
The final chapter in this book
A story left untold
Now as darkness starts to gather
Around your children too
This requiem to your father
Now serves as your cenotaph too
THEN:
Benazir, your father’s in the ground-
Benazir, you watched them put him down-
Benazir, your father lied- he’d promised not to die,
And Benazir, you’d sworn you wouldn’t cry…
Benazir, your face has turned to stone-
Benazir, you do not weep alone…
Benazir, the winds of change that wiped your tears dry
Now blew your father’s killers from the sky…
Benazir…
About This Poem
Last Few Words: This is NOT intended to be a political song, nor indeed intended to make any political statement. It is simply a human response to a double tragedy in this individual's life. This song was written over a period of almost three decades. I'd written most of the "then" part in 1980, about the time of Benazir's father's hanging by his political enemies when they came to power. The "now" part was written almost three decades later when she herself was assasinated while going to a political rally. I conciously chose to tell the story NOT in chronological order... with her assasination first. For anyone who may care to hear this as a song, please click on the link just below the body of the lyric
Review Request Intensity: I want the raw truth, feel free to knock me on my back
Editing Stage: Not actively editing
Comments
Kailashana2
14 years 7 months ago
I listened to this yesterday.
I listened to this yesterday. Listened to many of your songs/music (oh my, how prolific!).
You are the consummate poet, singer and musician. I am pleasantly surprised (though I shouldn't be)
on the variations of content and music. Bless your open heart and mind!
a poem I wish to share, written on 12/27/07
Benazir Bhutto
Benazir Bhutto was assassinated today
she expired at 6:16
I have no poetry for you,
words have no meaning
sometimes
and the poet is gone
absent from all reason,
all choked up
with nothing to say.
~Anna
Psyve
14 years 7 months ago
Anna
Thank you for sharing your own heartfelt requeim for Benazir.
Thank you also for listening to not just this song but also to others on my Soundclick page, and for your very kind words.
I do appreciate them.
Psyve
lou
14 years 7 months ago
Hi
Cant pick fault with it, I like your style.
Lou