A Tour To Bangla Town Poem by M Mostaqul Haque

Much I discovered during my dream -
A tour to Bangla Town – Brick Lane
Shops displaying an array of fruit
Fresh vegetables reminds me
A sweet similarity to Dhaka
New Market and Karwan Bazaar
Same songs in restaurants
For a while I was lost.

Who knew the big Jumma Mosque
Once made its shape as church
Then become a synagogue
Converted again to a mosque
Same Allah thus resides in
Accepting Changing facets.

I attend the Curry Festival
Appetizing aroma of cuisine
Invited me to the favorite dish
Customers to bring beer
Town feels an exotic taste
That has cosmopolitan status
With talented chefs and recipes
September became great to me.

Tower Hamlets, Spitalfields
Or brick Lane
What is in culture wars?
Time wants variety
Life demands changes
One to hundred kinds.
94 17 October 2007