World Affairs And Beyond

Amid life's busyness, we often find ourselves dedicated to nurturing the well-being of others. Like diligent gardeners, we water the plants in other people's lives, ensuring they bloom and flourish. Yet, amidst this altruistic endeavour, there's a tendency to overlook the garden we call our own. The metaphorical concept of tending to our own garden is a powerful reminder of the importance of self-care and self-nurturing. It echoes the wisdom that sometimes, in our eagerness to help others thrive, we inadvertently neglect the well-being of our own emotional, mental, and physical landscapes. Consider this: we water the plants in another person's life by offering support, lending a listening ear, and providing comfort. These actions are beautiful expressions of empathy and compassion. However, the danger lies in consistently directing all our energies outward, leaving our internal garden parched and neglected. Just like a garden requires a careful balance of sunlight, wate

In days gone by, a friend so dear,  Brought joy to life, made everything clear.  With smiles that shone, like sunshine's gleam,  And laughter, a melody, a joyful dream. But then a change, a mystery unfolds,  His smile faded, his laughter in cold folds.  Quiet and sad, no words to say,  He turned away, drifted far away. Your laughter, a song I miss so much,  A lyric of joy, a magical touch.  Your smile, a beacon, lit up the space,  But now it's gone, leaving an empty place. Once the king of giggles, now so quiet,  Hardly a laugh, a sombre, silent riot.  I long to see that joy again,  To bring back the sunshine, dispel the pain. What happened, my friend, I wish to know,  To understand the reasons, to help you grow.  How can I bring your smile back to stay?  And make your giggles dance, bright as day? Let's find a way to turn the tide,  Bring back the laughter, side by side.  For in your smile, the world found light,  And in your g

Dear friend, you are so talented, divine,  Your baking prowess, a gift so fine.  The brownies you just made, perfection's embrace,  Out of this world, a sweet celestial grace. The yummiest brownies ever, a taste so rare,  One bite and I'm in heaven, floating on air.  Super amazing, each chocolaty delight,  A rhapsody of flavours, a culinary flight. Keep making more, let your talents unfold,  These brownies are treasures, more precious than gold.  Better than all I've tasted, a sweet revelation,  In every morsel, a delectable sensation. With each batch you create, a masterpiece anew,  Your culinary artistry, a talent true.  Dear friend, your baking, a wonder to savour,  In the world of brownies, you're the ultimate flavour. © Sobia Nosheen (2nd December 2023)

Dear friend, a heartfelt request I send,  Our friendship, like a torn page, on the mend.  Recall the moments, joy in the air,  Tea and brownies, a bond we used to wear. You brewed tea, skies heavy with gray,  Brownies baked, brightening the day.  In the chaos, when burdens grew,  You refreshed my spirit, my anchor true. Alone now, stirring tea feels incomplete,  A void lingers, the taste not as sweet.  You are crucial, my friend, let us rewind,  Rekindle the warmth, leave the past behind. Enmity between us, like shadows cast,  Let's erase it, and reclaim what has passed.  To be friends again, like days of old,  A tale of friendship, beautifully retold. Imagine the laughter, the warmth, the cheer,  Sharing tea and brownies, so dear.  I miss that, my friend, can't you see?  Let's revive our friendship, just you and me. © Sobia Nosheen (30th November 2023)

In a world torn apart by war's despair, Where bombs fall, and hope's a rare affair. Running for life, each dawn unsure, In shadows of fear, where dreams obscure. Yet, in my mind's haven, a special place, Close your eyes, join me in this space. A garden green, by a peaceful lake, With the one I love, a sweet escape we make. No harsh words here, just kindness flows, Clouds painting stories as the gentle wind blows. A cottage by the water, our humble abode, Where love is planted, and dreams are sowed. In the backyard, a kitchen we've made, Growing our food, in the sunlight's shade. On the grass, I lay, clouds above me, Their shapes a dance, a sight to see. Breathing in peace, love, and joy, Free from the world's harsh employ. As I leave, the magic clings, A shield against the world's harsh stings. This refuge, my solace, a haven so grand, In the cradle of dreams, where realities stand. Strength to endure, in this secr

When others depart, the illusion persists,  Death seems a distant tale, for others to enlist.  In this shared belief, many hearts reside,  That mortality is distant, a truth denied. When a soul departs, eyes seek earthly gain,  A misguided pursuit, in loss and in pain.  Yet, the wisdom lies in the quiet breath,  Life's temporary nature, a dance with death. In the face of loss, the common refrain,  "I'll live without you," the heart's silent strain.  As if time stretches in limitless grace,  Forgetting life's brevity, the finite space. The essence of departure, a fierce guide,  Teaching that possessions in life subside.  Not truly ours, nor yours, nor their own,  In the dance with mortality, seeds are sown. Let not death be viewed through a narrow lens,  A reminder intense, as life transcends.  All that we claim, all we hold so dear,  Temporary echoes, in the cosmic sphere. For when others depart, what we truly find,  I

In the quiet spaces where shadows play,  A tale unfolds, a love kept at bay.  Two souls wreathed, a secret shared,  In a world that whispers, they remain ensnared. Beneath the star-lit sky, a silent ballet,  Two hearts in rhythm, yet words unsay.  No confessions made, no vows declared,  In the hush of the night, a connection bared. She, a seasoned traveller of life's unknown, He, a heart untamed, yet both have grown. No proclamations uttered, no promises bind, In the silent sparks, their emotions find. A glance exchanged, like a secret code, In the unspoken, their story is bestowed. Away from judgment, societal decree, A love concealed, yet wild and free. In stolen moments, when no eyes pry, They dance in shadows, beneath the sky. A forbidden waltz, a tender embrace, In the quiet spaces, love finds its place. Unseen gestures, like petals unfurled, In the secret garden of their own world. No need for words, as the heart understands, In t