COEXISTENCE: AAMIR HASAN Aamir Hasan is from Lucknow, India, an alumnus of Aligarh Muslim University, India; Coventry University, England, and Institute of Actuaries, U.K. After working for few years in England he is currently residing in India and writing full time, prose and poetry in Urdu and English. Next Poem:....................................................................................................................................... Back to Poetry Index

 

In north India, on the banks of river Gomti
Lies Jaunpur, a 14th century city
Lost from the maps of modernity
In love with the past
Dotted with monuments as witnesses
Of the glory it held
Grand mosques, Turkish bath, fort
Predominantly Islamic architecture

Forty odd miles from Jaunpur
Lies Banaras, on the banks of river Ganges
Oldest inhabitant city of the world, as people here say
Holiest city for Hindus
Temples, ceremonies, culture
Fascinating to say the least
Especially river lit with clay lamps
During the special prayers in night
Suns floating on water
Sky lit with flames, reflections both side

Couple of miles from Banaras, Sarnath lies
Place where Buddha gave the first sermon,
To his disciples, after enlightenment
Solace comes here to learn the secrets of life
As do people from far and wide
Ruins and relics of monasteries
Confirm the beauty and simplicity
Of the philosophy, Buddhism

Such places exist, coexist
Close to each other
Since centuries
Conflict or diversity, the choice is ours

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