It is winter here in Toronto, the skies are grey more often than not. And my mood is the same. I don’t understand the Trump phenomena across the border. I don’t understand the shooting of six men praying at a mosque in Quebec City. What I do understand is that when times are hard, peopleContinue reading “The Dark Days of Winter”
Author Archives: Tehmina Khan
The Race for Gold
My daughter’s English assignment is to write two paragraphs about her identity. She turned the question to my husband and myself. We answered her lightly, turned the whole thing into a joke, but the truth is that these days, each time, I turn on CBC radio, or read my favourite newspapers, I am confronted byContinue reading “The Race for Gold”
Karachi: A Video
Basilica Cistern
Arched domed roof resting on 336 marble columns, arranged in 12 rows, and underneath large fish swimming in dark waters, their presence betrayed by the periodic glimmer of modern lights. An atmosphere of eeriness. A place to be alone. And in the northwest corner, two Medusa heads; one resting her head sideways upon the wetContinue reading “Basilica Cistern”
Super Savari
A few months back, I read an article about a bus tour that takes you around Karachi with an armed escort, and I immediately wrinkled my nose at the elitism. I prefer walking on the streets minus any type of escort. But, just a fortnight ago, a cousin insisted that we should take our kidsContinue reading “Super Savari”
The Best Things in life are Free
It is three in the morning and I am wide awake. I woke up at two to the sound of firing that went on for what seemed like ten minutes, but was probably five. I have returned to this city by the sea after four years, the longest stretch that I have everContinue reading “The Best Things in life are Free”
Big brother, what were you thinking?
I am not even American but I am upset at this Trump victory. Why am I so upset about election results for an election that I did not and could not participate in? I care because America is our big brother. Scratch that, America is everyone’s big brother. It is undoubtedly the Superpower, and nowContinue reading “Big brother, what were you thinking?”
Almost Day
I like waking up early morning to walk. The world seems new, yet undiscovered. A virgin scene. No other people. No sounds. With winter around the corner, at six, the stars are still the only light in the ravine. Two mornings in a row, we saw a coyote behind our home sneaking off as weContinue reading “Almost Day”
The Dead are not Dead
It is the irrevocability of death that makes it so difficult to accept. I cannot through the force of my will bring back the people lost to me. I cannot breathe life into their bodies and make them smile again. And yet, I do. I recall shared moments, I replay conversations, I recreate facial expressions,Continue reading “The Dead are not Dead”
My Father
When I was a little girl, my father scared me. Everything about him seemed big. His voice, his muscles, his ability to take charge, navigate us around the globe, scale ropes, arm over arm, leg over leg at an incredible speed, do push ups with me perched on his back. Around him, I shrank. ItContinue reading “My Father”
