.

I’m a man who was born in England
And I was flabbergasted you see
When this lady jeered with her terrible sneer:
“Go back to your own country!”
.
I was sitting minding my own business
At the back of the number twenty-three
And this lady glared like a grizzly bear:
“Go back to your own country!”

.

“I can tell by your bushy joint eyebrows
And your looks foreign and swarthy
That fist-length beard isn’t welcomed here
Go back to your own country!!!”
.
“You swarmed into our nation
We welcomed you in generously
But you brought your whole clan from Pakistan
The ain’t a job left in our country.”
.
Well I’m sure that you can appreciate
I was furious as wolverine
“You cheeky sort!” Began my retort,
“I was born in this country!!!”
.
“I possess a British passport
I pay my taxes and VAT
What cheek you’ve got! And I’ll tell you what
I’ve had enough of this country!”
.
So instead of heading on to my business
To the airport I went angrily
Off to join my dad in Islamabad
Going back to my own country.
.
When I landed and retained my baggage
Strolled out into Rawalpindi
I became cornered by some crafty beggars
The vagabonds of my own country:
.
“Have mercy my dear brother,
Give us all a thousand rupees,”
“Do I look like a jerk?” I said with a smirk,
“You’re a shame on your own country!”
.
Then they stared at me with astonishment
saying: “listen you posh Englandee!
Don’t you lecture us with your gora accent
Go back to your own country!”
.
They left with some huffing and puffing
And I stood there dejectedly
Feeling quite injured by their withering words
Do I belong to any country?
.
Then my dad appeared at Arrivals
And we left in those dinky taxis
Said some prayers and praise at my Dada’s grave
But I slept that night with great unease.
.
When I woke it was like a lush garden
People smiled and greeted me
Spirits dressed in light and charming sprites
“Welcome back to your own country!”
.
Then I recognised my Dada Abba
With a face young and serene
“listen here my boy,” he announced with joy,
“Paradise is your true country!”
.
“The earth is the world of the traveller
you don’t belong there you see
So until it’s time to leave your body behind
You have to bear with adversities.”
.
“Your spirit will never be contented
With the earth and the seven seas
The truth is clear, you don’t belong there
Timeless is your true country.”
.
“So while you’re alive and kicking
Don’t stress about some mockery
To reach the bliss of a houri’s kiss
Bear with ignorance patiently.”
.
“In this world you’re always an outsider
You’re like a wandering refugee
Your ego and pride fight the spirit inside
They don’t live in your true country.”
.
“Don’t yearn for a country or nation
Live with courage and harmony
Don’t be perturbed by some ignorant words
In time you’ll reach your true country.”
.
With this wonderful dream in my memory
I returned to my country of residency
My old routine, the number twenty-three,
There sat the woman who had abused me.
.
When the bus stopped I saw her struggling
with her bags and her property.
I repressed my rage and offered her some aid
She smiled and accepted me.
.
“Thank you for your help,” said the woman,
“I’m very impressed you see,
But at the end of the day, I just have to say
GO BACK TO YOUR OWN COUNTRY!!!”
.
Notes:
Dada Abba: phrase for paternal grandfather in Urdu
Houri: maiden in paradise
Englandee: nickname in Pakistan for British Pakistanis