☀️ JOIN SPN MOBILE
Forums
New posts
Guru Granth Sahib
Composition, Arrangement & Layout
ਜਪੁ | Jup
ਸੋ ਦਰੁ | So Dar
ਸੋਹਿਲਾ | Sohilaa
ਰਾਗੁ ਸਿਰੀਰਾਗੁ | Raag Siree-Raag
Gurbani (14-53)
Ashtpadiyan (53-71)
Gurbani (71-74)
Pahre (74-78)
Chhant (78-81)
Vanjara (81-82)
Vaar Siri Raag (83-91)
Bhagat Bani (91-93)
ਰਾਗੁ ਮਾਝ | Raag Maajh
Gurbani (94-109)
Ashtpadi (109)
Ashtpadiyan (110-129)
Ashtpadi (129-130)
Ashtpadiyan (130-133)
Bara Maha (133-136)
Din Raen (136-137)
Vaar Maajh Ki (137-150)
ਰਾਗੁ ਗਉੜੀ | Raag Gauree
Gurbani (151-185)
Quartets/Couplets (185-220)
Ashtpadiyan (220-234)
Karhalei (234-235)
Ashtpadiyan (235-242)
Chhant (242-249)
Baavan Akhari (250-262)
Sukhmani (262-296)
Thittee (296-300)
Gauree kii Vaar (300-323)
Gurbani (323-330)
Ashtpadiyan (330-340)
Baavan Akhari (340-343)
Thintteen (343-344)
Vaar Kabir (344-345)
Bhagat Bani (345-346)
ਰਾਗੁ ਆਸਾ | Raag Aasaa
Gurbani (347-348)
Chaupaday (348-364)
Panchpadde (364-365)
Kaafee (365-409)
Aasaavaree (409-411)
Ashtpadiyan (411-432)
Patee (432-435)
Chhant (435-462)
Vaar Aasaa (462-475)
Bhagat Bani (475-488)
ਰਾਗੁ ਗੂਜਰੀ | Raag Goojaree
Gurbani (489-503)
Ashtpadiyan (503-508)
Vaar Gujari (508-517)
Vaar Gujari (517-526)
ਰਾਗੁ ਦੇਵਗੰਧਾਰੀ | Raag Dayv-Gandhaaree
Gurbani (527-536)
ਰਾਗੁ ਬਿਹਾਗੜਾ | Raag Bihaagraa
Gurbani (537-556)
Chhant (538-548)
Vaar Bihaagraa (548-556)
ਰਾਗੁ ਵਡਹੰਸ | Raag Wadhans
Gurbani (557-564)
Ashtpadiyan (564-565)
Chhant (565-575)
Ghoriaan (575-578)
Alaahaniiaa (578-582)
Vaar Wadhans (582-594)
ਰਾਗੁ ਸੋਰਠਿ | Raag Sorath
Gurbani (595-634)
Asatpadhiya (634-642)
Vaar Sorath (642-659)
ਰਾਗੁ ਧਨਾਸਰੀ | Raag Dhanasaree
Gurbani (660-685)
Astpadhiya (685-687)
Chhant (687-691)
Bhagat Bani (691-695)
ਰਾਗੁ ਜੈਤਸਰੀ | Raag Jaitsree
Gurbani (696-703)
Chhant (703-705)
Vaar Jaitsaree (705-710)
Bhagat Bani (710)
ਰਾਗੁ ਟੋਡੀ | Raag Todee
ਰਾਗੁ ਬੈਰਾੜੀ | Raag Bairaaree
ਰਾਗੁ ਤਿਲੰਗ | Raag Tilang
Gurbani (721-727)
Bhagat Bani (727)
ਰਾਗੁ ਸੂਹੀ | Raag Suhi
Gurbani (728-750)
Ashtpadiyan (750-761)
Kaafee (761-762)
Suchajee (762)
Gunvantee (763)
Chhant (763-785)
Vaar Soohee (785-792)
Bhagat Bani (792-794)
ਰਾਗੁ ਬਿਲਾਵਲੁ | Raag Bilaaval
Gurbani (795-831)
Ashtpadiyan (831-838)
Thitteen (838-840)
Vaar Sat (841-843)
Chhant (843-848)
Vaar Bilaaval (849-855)
Bhagat Bani (855-858)
ਰਾਗੁ ਗੋਂਡ | Raag Gond
Gurbani (859-869)
Ashtpadiyan (869)
Bhagat Bani (870-875)
ਰਾਗੁ ਰਾਮਕਲੀ | Raag Ramkalee
Ashtpadiyan (902-916)
Gurbani (876-902)
Anand (917-922)
Sadd (923-924)
Chhant (924-929)
Dakhnee (929-938)
Sidh Gosat (938-946)
Vaar Ramkalee (947-968)
ਰਾਗੁ ਨਟ ਨਾਰਾਇਨ | Raag Nat Narayan
Gurbani (975-980)
Ashtpadiyan (980-983)
ਰਾਗੁ ਮਾਲੀ ਗਉੜਾ | Raag Maalee Gauraa
Gurbani (984-988)
Bhagat Bani (988)
ਰਾਗੁ ਮਾਰੂ | Raag Maaroo
Gurbani (889-1008)
Ashtpadiyan (1008-1014)
Kaafee (1014-1016)
Ashtpadiyan (1016-1019)
Anjulian (1019-1020)
Solhe (1020-1033)
Dakhni (1033-1043)
ਰਾਗੁ ਤੁਖਾਰੀ | Raag Tukhaari
Bara Maha (1107-1110)
Chhant (1110-1117)
ਰਾਗੁ ਕੇਦਾਰਾ | Raag Kedara
Gurbani (1118-1123)
Bhagat Bani (1123-1124)
ਰਾਗੁ ਭੈਰਉ | Raag Bhairo
Gurbani (1125-1152)
Partaal (1153)
Ashtpadiyan (1153-1167)
ਰਾਗੁ ਬਸੰਤੁ | Raag Basant
Gurbani (1168-1187)
Ashtpadiyan (1187-1193)
Vaar Basant (1193-1196)
ਰਾਗੁ ਸਾਰਗ | Raag Saarag
Gurbani (1197-1200)
Partaal (1200-1231)
Ashtpadiyan (1232-1236)
Chhant (1236-1237)
Vaar Saarang (1237-1253)
ਰਾਗੁ ਮਲਾਰ | Raag Malaar
Gurbani (1254-1293)
Partaal (1265-1273)
Ashtpadiyan (1273-1278)
Chhant (1278)
Vaar Malaar (1278-91)
Bhagat Bani (1292-93)
ਰਾਗੁ ਕਾਨੜਾ | Raag Kaanraa
Gurbani (1294-96)
Partaal (1296-1318)
Ashtpadiyan (1308-1312)
Chhant (1312)
Vaar Kaanraa
Bhagat Bani (1318)
ਰਾਗੁ ਕਲਿਆਨ | Raag Kalyaan
Gurbani (1319-23)
Ashtpadiyan (1323-26)
ਰਾਗੁ ਪ੍ਰਭਾਤੀ | Raag Prabhaatee
Gurbani (1327-1341)
Ashtpadiyan (1342-51)
ਰਾਗੁ ਜੈਜਾਵੰਤੀ | Raag Jaijaiwanti
Gurbani (1352-53)
Salok | Gatha | Phunahe | Chaubole | Swayiye
Sehskritee Mahala 1
Sehskritee Mahala 5
Gaathaa Mahala 5
Phunhay Mahala 5
Chaubolae Mahala 5
Shaloks Bhagat Kabir
Shaloks Sheikh Farid
Swaiyyae Mahala 5
Swaiyyae in Praise of Gurus
Shaloks in Addition To Vaars
Shalok Ninth Mehl
Mundavanee Mehl 5
ਰਾਗ ਮਾਲਾ, Raag Maalaa
What's new
New posts
New media
New media comments
New resources
Latest activity
Videos
New media
New comments
Library
Latest reviews
Donate
Log in
Register
What's new
New posts
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Welcome to all New Sikh Philosophy Network Forums!
Explore Sikh Sikhi Sikhism...
Sign up
Log in
Discussions
Sikh Sikhi Sikhism
Sikh Youth
How To Tie A Patka
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="Mai Harinder Kaur" data-source="post: 110476" data-attributes="member: 3558"><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://roadtokhalistan.blogspot.com/2009/06/where-ever-it-is-dark-illustrated-poem.html" target="_blank">Where Ever It Is Dark - An Illustrated Poem</a> </p> <p style="text-align: center"></p><p></p><p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center">I came across this poem one day while reading Preeti Kaur ji's blog, <a href="http://phulkari.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The World I Stitch.</a> As I read, I saw pictures of all that our children go through in school, especially in America and I felt the need to illustrate her painfully beautiful poem. She has graciously given me permission to reproduce the poem here. The words are hers; I am to blame for the pictures. (She approves of them, though!)</p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center">I would suggest that any children experiencing such problems, go to <a href="http://www.khalsakids.org/" target="_blank">Khalsa Kids</a>. There is a lot of help there. Parents are welcome, too, of course!</p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://phulkari.blogspot.com/2007/12/where-ever-it-is-dark-poem-for-sikh.html" target="_blank">where ever it is dark-- poem for sikh children- REVISED</a></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center">where ever it is dark (revised, kid-friendly version) 12/7/07</p> <p style="text-align: center">for r. singh (especially) and children everywhere</p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center">after school</p> <p style="text-align: center">i tell my mummy</p> <p style="text-align: center">i don't want to go back</p> <p style="text-align: center">tomorrow</p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center">she asks me why</p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center">i tell her</p> <p style="text-align: center">today in the playground</p> <p style="text-align: center">bullies</p> <p style="text-align: center">push me</p> <p style="text-align: center">punch me</p> <p style="text-align: center">kick me</p> <p style="text-align: center">shout at me</p> <p style="text-align: center">potato head!</p> <p style="text-align: center">raghead!</p> <p style="text-align: center">alladin!</p> <p style="text-align: center">even osama bin laden!</p> <p style="text-align: center">everything i know</p> <p style="text-align: center">i am not</p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YVK9luYdliA/Sjlf-dTqndI/AAAAAAAAG3Y/qIwWrhjQhuQ/s1600-h/Potatohead+beating.bmp" target="_blank"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YVK9luYdliA/Sjlf-dTqndI/AAAAAAAAG3Y/qIwWrhjQhuQ/s400/Potatohead+beating.bmp" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center">i fight back</p> <p style="text-align: center">throw a fist</p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YVK9luYdliA/SjnJl0gqUuI/AAAAAAAAG5o/6tngHYuSdXU/s1600-h/Kara+fist.bmp" target="_blank"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YVK9luYdliA/SjnJl0gqUuI/AAAAAAAAG5o/6tngHYuSdXU/s400/Kara+fist.bmp" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center">imagine the bullies as monsters</p> <p style="text-align: center">call them ugly things too</p> <p style="text-align: center">my cheeks burn</p> <p style="text-align: center">my heart thumps</p> <p style="text-align: center">i am MAD </p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YVK9luYdliA/Sjlf-itgwlI/AAAAAAAAG3g/keZ2Dx2FwFw/s1600-h/angry+fire.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YVK9luYdliA/Sjlf-itgwlI/AAAAAAAAG3g/keZ2Dx2FwFw/s400/angry+fire.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center">i didn't start this</p> <p style="text-align: center">i am just one</p> <p style="text-align: center">and no one listens</p> <p style="text-align: center">when i yell</p> <p style="text-align: center">stop it!</p> <p style="text-align: center">leave me alone!</p> <p style="text-align: center">no one helps me</p> <p style="text-align: center">when the bullies</p> <p style="text-align: center">rip the cloth</p> <p style="text-align: center">from my head</p> <p style="text-align: center">pull off</p> <p style="text-align: center">my patka</p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center">not even the friends</p> <p style="text-align: center">i swing with</p> <p style="text-align: center">everyday on the monkey-bars</p> <p style="text-align: center">or the kids</p> <p style="text-align: center">who swap sandwiches with me</p> <p style="text-align: center">in the cafeteria</p> <p style="text-align: center">not even the adults</p> <p style="text-align: center">who patrol the playgrounds</p> <p style="text-align: center">to make sure</p> <p style="text-align: center">everyone follows the rules</p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YVK9luYdliA/Sjlf_MQ2URI/AAAAAAAAG3w/g7tqiJQcaZQ/s1600-h/kids.bmp" target="_blank"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YVK9luYdliA/Sjlf_MQ2URI/AAAAAAAAG3w/g7tqiJQcaZQ/s400/kids.bmp" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center">after</p> <p style="text-align: center">****** noses</p> <p style="text-align: center">bruises</p> <p style="text-align: center">scratches</p> <p style="text-align: center">the teachers sit us down</p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center">a peace negotiation</p> <p style="text-align: center">where no one questions</p> <p style="text-align: center">the bullies</p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center">why am i a target?</p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YVK9luYdliA/SjliAorEktI/AAAAAAAAG4g/YkgBjaQ6-aI/s1600-h/Target.bmp" target="_blank"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YVK9luYdliA/SjliAorEktI/AAAAAAAAG4g/YkgBjaQ6-aI/s400/Target.bmp" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /> </a></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center">inside</p> <p style="text-align: center">i am like a match</p> <p style="text-align: center">like the ones my daddy warns me not to play with</p> <p style="text-align: center">a blue flame</p> <p style="text-align: center">which grows shorter every second</p> <p style="text-align: center">burning my insides</p> <p style="text-align: center">faster than i expect</p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YVK9luYdliA/Sjlf_Tk-huI/AAAAAAAAG34/GE_BNiNnnVc/s1600-h/match+and+head.bmp" target="_blank"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YVK9luYdliA/Sjlf_Tk-huI/AAAAAAAAG34/GE_BNiNnnVc/s400/match+and+head.bmp" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center">i go home</p> <p style="text-align: center">and cry</p> <p style="text-align: center">and cry</p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center">i tell my mummy</p> <p style="text-align: center">everything</p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center">my mummy</p> <p style="text-align: center">wraps her arms</p> <p style="text-align: center">around my shoulders</p> <p style="text-align: center">tells me she loves me</p> <p style="text-align: center">with her eyes</p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center">she unwraps</p> <p style="text-align: center">my joora</p> <p style="text-align: center">lets loose</p> <p style="text-align: center">my long hair</p> <p style="text-align: center">runs her fingers through</p> <p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YVK9luYdliA/SkGWWPJwlDI/AAAAAAAAG6I/sRlgi5M42h8/s1600-h/kesh+4+mother.bmp" target="_blank"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YVK9luYdliA/SkGWWPJwlDI/AAAAAAAAG6I/sRlgi5M42h8/s400/kesh+4+mother.bmp" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center">mummy whispers</p> <p style="text-align: center">your hair</p> <p style="text-align: center">is like the night sky</p> <p style="text-align: center">your hair</p> <p style="text-align: center">is the universe</p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YVK9luYdliA/SjliABZ9ObI/AAAAAAAAG4Q/MNcrt8w4Xds/s1600-h/your+hair+is+the+universe.bmp" target="_blank"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YVK9luYdliA/SjliABZ9ObI/AAAAAAAAG4Q/MNcrt8w4Xds/s400/your+hair+is+the+universe.bmp" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center">she combs my kes</p> <p style="text-align: center">with a kanga</p> <p style="text-align: center">twists my hair firm</p> <p style="text-align: center">on the top of my head</p> <p style="text-align: center">a galaxy you carry high</p> <p style="text-align: center">mummy says</p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YVK9luYdliA/SjliALZXlNI/AAAAAAAAG4I/KgOkdLOJ_7w/s400/Patka+boy+Galaxy.bmp" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /> </p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center">she takes the square patka cloth</p> <p style="text-align: center">angles it</p> <p style="text-align: center">like a diamond</p> <p style="text-align: center">sets the patka on my scalp</p> <p style="text-align: center">and ties it tight</p> <p style="text-align: center">mummy tells me</p> <p style="text-align: center">this patka</p> <p style="text-align: center">crowns you</p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center">one day</p> <p style="text-align: center">you will wear a turban</p> <p style="text-align: center">cloth as long as the seven oceans</p> <p style="text-align: center">the full span of the earth</p> <p style="text-align: center">will rest on your head</p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YVK9luYdliA/SkGXV7SB1qI/AAAAAAAAG6Q/GFj0gLzawh4/s1600-h/The+Full+Span.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YVK9luYdliA/SkGXV7SB1qI/AAAAAAAAG6Q/GFj0gLzawh4/s400/The+Full+Span.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center">be a brave young prince</p> <p style="text-align: center">like Sahibzaada Zorawar Singh Ji </p> <p style="text-align: center">like Sahibzaada Fateh Singh Ji</p> <p style="text-align: center">when bullies</p> <p style="text-align: center">big as kings</p> <p style="text-align: center">threaten them</p> <p style="text-align: center">for carrying the universe on their heads</p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center">like true princes</p> <p style="text-align: center">when bullies</p> <p style="text-align: center">torture them</p> <p style="text-align: center">with three nights</p> <p style="text-align: center">in the cold</p> <p style="text-align: center">in the dark </p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YVK9luYdliA/SjqK09EpP9I/AAAAAAAAG5w/HrQEqFAHZZ8/s1600-h/300px-Mata_Gujri_Kaur_Ji_and_Sahibzaadey_in_Tandda_Burj.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YVK9luYdliA/SjqK09EpP9I/AAAAAAAAG5w/HrQEqFAHZZ8/s400/300px-Mata_Gujri_Kaur_Ji_and_Sahibzaadey_in_Tandda_Burj.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a> </p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center">when everyone wanted them to just be children</p> <p style="text-align: center">they raised their chins high</p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YVK9luYdliA/SjljpXOS4xI/AAAAAAAAG44/FTrrwUBJJfU/s400/Sahibzada-young.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center">no tears</p> <p style="text-align: center">just the ways of the lion prince</p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YVK9luYdliA/SjljpIplPdI/AAAAAAAAG4w/1pm-67JPOhI/s400/lion+khanda.bmp" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center">with questions and conversation</p> <p style="text-align: center">a duty for the kingdom</p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center">mummy kisses my cheeks</p> <p style="text-align: center">i kiss her back</p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center">i tell her</p> <p style="text-align: center">i will go back to school tomorrow</p> <p style="text-align: center">i will be like a prince</p> <p style="text-align: center">a shooting star</p> <p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YVK9luYdliA/SkGWV1MQO0I/AAAAAAAAG6A/17dZCbzXYm0/s1600-h/shooting+star.bmp" target="_blank"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YVK9luYdliA/SkGWV1MQO0I/AAAAAAAAG6A/17dZCbzXYm0/s400/shooting+star.bmp" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center">bright and brave</p> <p style="text-align: center">where ever it is cold</p> <p style="text-align: center">where ever it is dark </p> <p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YVK9luYdliA/SjljpgaFUGI/AAAAAAAAG5I/R_hW95gHJDk/s1600-h/patka+3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YVK9luYdliA/SjljpgaFUGI/AAAAAAAAG5I/R_hW95gHJDk/s400/patka+3.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center">pk</p> <p style="text-align: center"></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Mai Harinder Kaur, post: 110476, member: 3558"] [CENTER][URL="http://roadtokhalistan.blogspot.com/2009/06/where-ever-it-is-dark-illustrated-poem.html"]Where Ever It Is Dark - An Illustrated Poem[/URL] [/CENTER] [CENTER] I came across this poem one day while reading Preeti Kaur ji's blog, [URL="http://phulkari.blogspot.com/"]The World I Stitch.[/URL] As I read, I saw pictures of all that our children go through in school, especially in America and I felt the need to illustrate her painfully beautiful poem. She has graciously given me permission to reproduce the poem here. The words are hers; I am to blame for the pictures. (She approves of them, though!) I would suggest that any children experiencing such problems, go to [URL="http://www.khalsakids.org/"]Khalsa Kids[/URL]. There is a lot of help there. Parents are welcome, too, of course! [URL="http://phulkari.blogspot.com/2007/12/where-ever-it-is-dark-poem-for-sikh.html"]where ever it is dark-- poem for sikh children- REVISED[/URL] where ever it is dark (revised, kid-friendly version) 12/7/07 for r. singh (especially) and children everywhere after school i tell my mummy i don't want to go back tomorrow she asks me why i tell her today in the playground bullies push me punch me kick me shout at me potato head! raghead! alladin! even osama bin laden! everything i know i am not [URL="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YVK9luYdliA/Sjlf-dTqndI/AAAAAAAAG3Y/qIwWrhjQhuQ/s1600-h/Potatohead+beating.bmp"][IMG]http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YVK9luYdliA/Sjlf-dTqndI/AAAAAAAAG3Y/qIwWrhjQhuQ/s400/Potatohead+beating.bmp[/IMG][/URL] [/CENTER] [CENTER]i fight back throw a fist [URL="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YVK9luYdliA/SjnJl0gqUuI/AAAAAAAAG5o/6tngHYuSdXU/s1600-h/Kara+fist.bmp"][IMG]http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YVK9luYdliA/SjnJl0gqUuI/AAAAAAAAG5o/6tngHYuSdXU/s400/Kara+fist.bmp[/IMG][/URL] [/CENTER] [CENTER] imagine the bullies as monsters call them ugly things too my cheeks burn my heart thumps i am MAD [URL="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YVK9luYdliA/Sjlf-itgwlI/AAAAAAAAG3g/keZ2Dx2FwFw/s1600-h/angry+fire.jpg"][IMG]http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YVK9luYdliA/Sjlf-itgwlI/AAAAAAAAG3g/keZ2Dx2FwFw/s400/angry+fire.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [/CENTER] [CENTER]i didn't start this i am just one and no one listens when i yell stop it! leave me alone! no one helps me when the bullies rip the cloth from my head pull off my patka not even the friends i swing with everyday on the monkey-bars or the kids who swap sandwiches with me in the cafeteria not even the adults who patrol the playgrounds to make sure everyone follows the rules [URL="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YVK9luYdliA/Sjlf_MQ2URI/AAAAAAAAG3w/g7tqiJQcaZQ/s1600-h/kids.bmp"][IMG]http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YVK9luYdliA/Sjlf_MQ2URI/AAAAAAAAG3w/g7tqiJQcaZQ/s400/kids.bmp[/IMG][/URL] [/CENTER] [CENTER]after ****** noses bruises scratches the teachers sit us down a peace negotiation where no one questions the bullies why am i a target? [URL="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YVK9luYdliA/SjliAorEktI/AAAAAAAAG4g/YkgBjaQ6-aI/s1600-h/Target.bmp"][IMG]http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YVK9luYdliA/SjliAorEktI/AAAAAAAAG4g/YkgBjaQ6-aI/s400/Target.bmp[/IMG] [/URL] inside i am like a match like the ones my daddy warns me not to play with a blue flame which grows shorter every second burning my insides faster than i expect [URL="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YVK9luYdliA/Sjlf_Tk-huI/AAAAAAAAG34/GE_BNiNnnVc/s1600-h/match+and+head.bmp"][IMG]http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YVK9luYdliA/Sjlf_Tk-huI/AAAAAAAAG34/GE_BNiNnnVc/s400/match+and+head.bmp[/IMG][/URL] [/CENTER] [CENTER]i go home and cry and cry i tell my mummy everything my mummy wraps her arms around my shoulders tells me she loves me with her eyes she unwraps my joora lets loose my long hair runs her fingers through [URL="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YVK9luYdliA/SkGWWPJwlDI/AAAAAAAAG6I/sRlgi5M42h8/s1600-h/kesh+4+mother.bmp"][IMG]http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YVK9luYdliA/SkGWWPJwlDI/AAAAAAAAG6I/sRlgi5M42h8/s400/kesh+4+mother.bmp[/IMG][/URL] mummy whispers your hair is like the night sky your hair is the universe [URL="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YVK9luYdliA/SjliABZ9ObI/AAAAAAAAG4Q/MNcrt8w4Xds/s1600-h/your+hair+is+the+universe.bmp"][IMG]http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YVK9luYdliA/SjliABZ9ObI/AAAAAAAAG4Q/MNcrt8w4Xds/s400/your+hair+is+the+universe.bmp[/IMG][/URL] [/CENTER] [CENTER]she combs my kes with a kanga twists my hair firm on the top of my head a galaxy you carry high mummy says [IMG]http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YVK9luYdliA/SjliALZXlNI/AAAAAAAAG4I/KgOkdLOJ_7w/s400/Patka+boy+Galaxy.bmp[/IMG] she takes the square patka cloth angles it like a diamond sets the patka on my scalp and ties it tight mummy tells me this patka crowns you one day you will wear a turban cloth as long as the seven oceans the full span of the earth will rest on your head [URL="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YVK9luYdliA/SkGXV7SB1qI/AAAAAAAAG6Q/GFj0gLzawh4/s1600-h/The+Full+Span.jpg"][IMG]http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YVK9luYdliA/SkGXV7SB1qI/AAAAAAAAG6Q/GFj0gLzawh4/s400/The+Full+Span.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [/CENTER] [CENTER] be a brave young prince like Sahibzaada Zorawar Singh Ji like Sahibzaada Fateh Singh Ji when bullies big as kings threaten them for carrying the universe on their heads like true princes when bullies torture them with three nights in the cold in the dark [URL="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YVK9luYdliA/SjqK09EpP9I/AAAAAAAAG5w/HrQEqFAHZZ8/s1600-h/300px-Mata_Gujri_Kaur_Ji_and_Sahibzaadey_in_Tandda_Burj.jpg"][IMG]http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YVK9luYdliA/SjqK09EpP9I/AAAAAAAAG5w/HrQEqFAHZZ8/s400/300px-Mata_Gujri_Kaur_Ji_and_Sahibzaadey_in_Tandda_Burj.jpg[/IMG][/URL] when everyone wanted them to just be children they raised their chins high [IMG]http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YVK9luYdliA/SjljpXOS4xI/AAAAAAAAG44/FTrrwUBJJfU/s400/Sahibzada-young.jpg[/IMG] [/CENTER] [CENTER]no tears just the ways of the lion prince [IMG]http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YVK9luYdliA/SjljpIplPdI/AAAAAAAAG4w/1pm-67JPOhI/s400/lion+khanda.bmp[/IMG] [/CENTER] [CENTER]with questions and conversation a duty for the kingdom mummy kisses my cheeks i kiss her back i tell her i will go back to school tomorrow i will be like a prince a shooting star [URL="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YVK9luYdliA/SkGWV1MQO0I/AAAAAAAAG6A/17dZCbzXYm0/s1600-h/shooting+star.bmp"][IMG]http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YVK9luYdliA/SkGWV1MQO0I/AAAAAAAAG6A/17dZCbzXYm0/s400/shooting+star.bmp[/IMG][/URL] bright and brave where ever it is cold where ever it is dark [URL="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YVK9luYdliA/SjljpgaFUGI/AAAAAAAAG5I/R_hW95gHJDk/s1600-h/patka+3.jpg"][IMG]http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YVK9luYdliA/SjljpgaFUGI/AAAAAAAAG5I/R_hW95gHJDk/s400/patka+3.jpg[/IMG][/URL] pk [/CENTER] [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Discussions
Sikh Sikhi Sikhism
Sikh Youth
How To Tie A Patka
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
Accept
Learn more…
Top