#Poetry ‘I Met A Japanese Today …’ by Fiza Pathan

I Met A Japanese Today …

By Fiza Pathan

I met a Japanese today asking me for a lift to the Himalayas
I took her to the land of Tao Te Ching
and then she refused my humble company
thinking me to be a swindler.

Now I’m waiting in a coffee shop in Israel
for someone to lift my spirits to the heights of the sages
but no one wishes to take me home.

So here I am this warm morning
stuck in a land of unleavened bread and fish
but I have no fears for the dwellers of the caves are my refuge
the hermit of the exotic hills are my true friends.

Leave this poor soul home
under the shade of the banyan tree
near the feet of my teacher.

I will be content to sing a hymn to Lao Tzu
while I pine over good days spent
and strong tea made by the hands of the spirits of Ceylon.

Lonely I am in this desert like land of Jews so ancient.
Take me home to my land called the country of the Hindus
and I promise that I’ll never leave its borders again.

I beg every traveler I see,
but they hold the Torah in their palms
so with regret I return to my place
tucking my Bhagvad Gita in my breast pocket.

I then order for another cup of coffee
to while away the time.
Shangri-La is the land on my way
but I do not care for it.

Call me home dear spirit of the flute player
so that I may sleep in peace at last
in your holy temple at your feet.

Image courtesy: Google images/wikipedia