*counts In Nothing Poem by Sadiqullah Khan

I counted for much more
Weighed my worthless worth
A number of times
Walls and doors
From the nib on paper
My seal and heavy steps
Frowns on my forehead
From my shouts

I counted the gold coins
The number of times
I visited others
The addresses
In my notebook
The calls I receive
The people
Who wait upon me
The countries I seen

I counted the number
Of prayers
Recitations of holy names
Chants I did not understand
The number of holy places
I visited
The number of pilgrimages

And these counts were in vain
Counts in nothing

But will you count me my child
In broken numbers
Just allow me
To sit in line
With your toys
Of so many colors
Long ears and tails
Smiling faces
Sweet eyes

Make me so small and so big
Make me sit amongst your toys
12/3/2009