The Pakistani Spectator

I am a dad

Strong sturdy dad, as they should be.

I sweep

The kitchen

Keeping it clean and tidy, as it should be.

Spick and span, shiny surface

Reflecting me back

And I feel proud

Of my strength

As I hum a song to their mom

My beloved

I am a dad

Strong sturdy dad, as they should be

I sweep

The blood

Of innocents tortured in Guantanamo Bay

Of innocents tortured somewhere in Syria

Of innocents tortured ……

But the stain remains

Forever, there

Mocking me, just mocking me

That stinchy, horrible stain

So I hum a song

In despair

That stinchy, horrible stain

That stinchy, horrible stain

I can’t sleep

I can’t think

I am a robotic replica living within this matrix

I can’t sleep

I can’t think

…can’t sleep

…can’t think