Bulleh Shah’s Kafi: A Reflection on Chaotic Times

Current events remind me of a very popular kafi (verse, from Arabic lit. Qafiya – rhyming pattern) by the 17th century Sufi philosopher poet Bullah Shah (or, Bulle Shah) – Ultey Hor Zamaane aaye ('Chaotic Times Are Here’): Ulṭey hor zamaaney aaye Taan mein bhed sajan de paayePerverse (topsy-turvy) times are upon us Revealing the …

Changing seasons

“It’s raining it’s pouring, the old man is snoring Went to bed and he bumped his head And couldn’t get up in the morning.” Trust me, some mornings I do want to behave like that old man Jose Feliciano sang about.  Waking up early in the morning when the overnight temperature has dropped below the …