ASMA WARSI

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Exploit No More!

The fresh breeze of Spring

from the deserts of Arabia

traveling across continents,   

reaching the Western shores.

Claiming the leadership

giving the eternal message

that inside our skin, light or dark

we are one, we are human.

From Arab Spring to Occupy Movement

from coast to coast, resonates

the universal demand for human dignity

and need for mutual respect.

Young and old, men and women

same voice, same slogans, same purpose:

our need -  freedom and justice.

count us in, exploit no more.

we are the ninety-nine per cent.

Asma Warsi © 2011

ASMA WARSI

At Home in Makkah

Walking by myself,

In the streets of Makkah,

Among thousands of people,

Of different race, colour,

Speaking different languages.

But we were not strangers,

We knew each other.

A kind smile,

A friendly glance,

Somehow we were connected.

The unique brotherhood,

And sisterhood of Islam,

We were siblings to each other,

Truthful and genuine,

Helping, caring.

As if I was in my hometown,

Among my people,

I had known them from ages,

They were my family.

I was one of them.

I was so at home!!!

Asma Warsi ©

Originally published in The Ambition Newspaper November 2011.

ASMA WARSI

Golden Years

Golden years!
What golden years?

Income reduced,
Health compromised.
Empty nest,
Living downsized.

Cholesterol pointing high,
Blood pressure on the rise,
Diabetes, arthritis,
Weakening  eyes.

Hearing impaired,
Wrinkled dry skin,
Every joint rattles,
Golden years begin.

Copyright (c)Asma Warsi 2011

We are one!


I left behind my sweet memories,
And chose this land as mine.
I gave it my youth, my energy, my love,
And believed it will be mine.

I gave it two young generations,
To serve it and protect.
Conscientious, hardworking, educated,
Their duties they’ll never neglect.

Yes, I do have a little accent
But you would have had too.
If you had been the first generation
Or your parents were here new.

I look different but I am like you,
Don’t give me a derogatory name.
My accent, my colour, my unfamiliar attire,
Are not a matter of shame.

Building a mosaic, every brick counts,
Art has many strokes.
Many colours come together to form white light,
A song has many notes.

Copyright(c)AsmaWarsi2011

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Asma Warsi

Asma Warsi is originally from Pakistan and has lived in Canada for almost forty years.  She received her M.Sc. from Pakistan.  She attended Seneca College in Toronto and received her Chemical Technician designation, She also studied TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) at York University. 

Her work experience has included working as a pharmaceutical lab techician, teaching English as a Second Language with the Toronto District School Board, and for twenty five years, she has been the editor and  publisher of the Ambition newspaper As a business woman, she ran a small print press for several years.

Asma writes poetry in both Urdu and English. She has performed her work in English at a poetry event.  She has also been invited to give a talk on the basics of Islam by the United Church which was well received. 

 She is a widow with four grown up children and eight grandchildren.