Consciousness G Poem by Sadiqullah Khan

‘Ken had said, ‘the villagers don't believe in hot waters.' That means they don't come to the hot springs
above the village. They don't strip and lie luxuriating in the hot smelly pools. They never gasp with shock and delight, after a hot day's labor. Or feel themselves buoyant, having walked for days. What a treat they miss! I wonder, why.' Among Muslims, Askole by Night, Kathleen Jamie,2002

Abhorred state of nature is a loss,
Adam's rise to the consciousness of his being
Creative, triggered by Eve and Satan.
We will return to it, a subconscious state-
Unconsciousness when collective becomes rituals.
Soothing, escaping. What is false consciousness?
And various degrees of consciousness.
We have seen, from history, those who are more
Conscious, -the devils, overcome the less conscious,
The angels. Who wins. Eighty seven percent of the land
In South Africa, belonged to thirteen percent of devils,
Riding the holy gospel. The more the conscious
The more successful, the less, will perish ultimately.
The garb is the God. When God wills, he gives you money.
Isn't it? True, It is. But what of consciousness of living?
Breath air, celebrate life, live and be one with nature
Spirited. Who brings this consciousness?
In the village of Askole, the mullah gathered the villagers,
Told them to break their instruments of music,
Fifteen years ago, which is now close to half century.
Another consciousness. Of death, while you live.
Caught them unawares, occupy, steal or simply ‘buy',
Who is more conscious? One with money or moneyless?
There are many who travel in boots
And many more whose women are the most protected
Species laden with gold and deing in wretchedness.
They will all vanish, they are buying time only.
We give in to false consciousness quickly, Paradiso effect.
Consciousness true and real needs
A superlative level of mental and spiritual awareness -
With strength of facing ‘the real' and defeating
The devil, who eats up the society inside
And divides the world across like a chessboard.

Islamabad
September 30,2014.