Pakistan Independence Day

A tapestry of lovely girls,

A generation swath of vibrancy,

                    Of range diversity

          And future life of Pakistan –

                              Traditional

          In choli and lahenga dress,

                    Perhaps gharara, too,

          Consisting of dupatta veil,

                              A tunic kurti,

          And salwar for below the waist.

What seas of color dominate the day –

                    What fierce and beautiful

          Courses from their bloodstream as red,

                              Its family

Of saturate falu and burgundy

                    And modest scarlet, too.

                              What violet

Beats like a drum from passionate a heart –

          Byzantium and amethyst.

                    Brushstroke of yellow, brief

                              In touches all

                                        Around,

Reminders of how lovely these girls are –

                    From golden to chartreuse,

          To brushstrokes on the palate such

                    As mustard, lemon, saffron. 

The boys, though fewer, complement these girls,

                    With colors more of white

          And range of turbans, caps – Pakol,

With a small brim that does not interfere

                              With their sajdah. 

          May they all be fierce warriors

                              Of light and peace. 

Pakistan Independence Day © Ron Villejo