Humnava Humsafar⁣⁣
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Two misfits⁣⁣⁣
Never understood by our own and those in proximity⁣⁣⁣
Following the beats of our own drums⁣⁣⁣
Defiant, wild and free in a world that demands conformity⁣⁣⁣
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Worlds apart were we⁣⁣⁣
Until the motherland called to me⁣⁣⁣
And in her bosom did we meet⁣⁣⁣
Renegades from the same community⁣⁣⁣
Born and bred abroad am I⁣⁣⁣
Yet instilled in me virtues of the old country from the 1970s⁣⁣⁣
Village boy you may be but are far more liberal than I⁣⁣⁣
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Opposites and yet alike⁣⁣⁣
Recognizing ourselves in each other⁣⁣⁣
“The rebellious family black sheep“⁣⁣⁣
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I stood my ground as you tried to use your charm⁣⁣⁣
Thus you were disarmed as you realized words did not impress me⁣⁣⁣
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No need for facade or concern to save face⁣⁣⁣
Within this safe space⁣⁣⁣
We could be our true selves⁣⁣⁣
Instant friends talking for hours⁣⁣⁣
I hear you & see your pain it mirrors back to me⁣⁣⁣
We accept one another in our entirety⁣⁣⁣
With all our strengths & imperfections⁣⁣⁣
A warmth and sense of home in each other’s embrace⁣⁣⁣
This karmic connection we could not erase⁣⁣⁣
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Beyond all the turmoil you carry within⁣⁣⁣
Your gentle soul shines brighter than the sun⁣⁣⁣
Worth more than any sum⁣⁣⁣
Your stretched out hand I take⁣⁣⁣
As I break all my rules that so heavily guarded my heart⁣⁣⁣
I take a leap of faith towards a new start⁣⁣⁣
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~Shalini Tuscano⁣⁣⁣
(November 13, 2019)
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Photo Credit: Simoni Sarine

*Humnava & Humsafar translates to someone who is likeminded, singing the same tune and someone who is a companion, walks with you, by your side in your life’s journey.