To Fakhra Yunus and Noman – With love, from Tehmina Durrani

In 12 years with 39 surgeries, a breadwinner with burnt-flesh hungry, then gave up on life and her country!

Strange are the ways of God,

Strange is the help He provides,

I love you to the moon and beyond,

There aren’t many places to hide!

 

The sky above heads be a witness,

When helpless were helped by a helpless,

The amount of effort that it took me,

How shall I put in words? I feel restless!

 

The shadow over Napier road, Karachi,

Of a once-scarred moon needing justice,

Will bring back the grace and enlighten,

This painful dichotomy of success!

 

This too shall pass and so quickly

I recall, I took you to Italy,

Five years young and your mother,

Recovering from hell and so swiftly.

 

In 12 years with 39 surgeries,

A breadwinner with burnt-flesh hungry,

By lack of equality in our system,

Then gave up on life and her country!

 

For graduating from a school in Rome,

To being a brand ambassador back home

Your late mother and a secret benefactor,

Are happy that so neatly you’ve grown!

 

So settle dust and try leaving footprints,

At junior soccer team and take your chances,

But never leave your roots; God will help you,

In all walks of life and circumstances!

 

For strange are the ways of God,

And strange is the help He provides

I love you to the moon and beyond

There aren’t many places to hide!