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Where the Silence Broke
by
Syed Rabia Tahir
Daastan Publishing 2025
First Published in Pakistan by Daastan PVT LTD
House # A-41, Madni Street, Lala Rukh, Wah Cantt, Punjab 47040
Text copyrights © Syeda Rabia Tahir
Book Design copyright © Anum Ameer
Edited by: Syed Ommer Amer
The moral rights of the writer, illustrator, and editor have been asserted.
All rights reserved
This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or distributed in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
ISBN 978-969-696-989-1
Dedication
To the teachers—
who saw beyond silence,
who recognized pain without asking,
and who stayed when we didn’t know how to begin.
For every quiet lesson,
every moment of grace,
and every truth you helped us find—
this book is for you.
Contents
See not. Hear not. Look away. 9
A voice, a cry, so far away. 16
Rediscovering Myself: Little Routine. 20
Part One Ends, Part Two Begins. 47
Conversations with the Self 50
Waiting for the Star Shower. 61
See not. Hear not. Look away.
Soulless bodies wake each day,
Speak aloud with nothing to say.
Nothing left for us to see—
Now blood plays back on endless repeat.
We walk through streets, our steps rebound,
Laughing, singing, minds unwound.
But how will you answer? Tell me, pray—
Hey, historian! Are you recording today?
My pain runs deep, my sorrows vast,
While cries for help go flying past.
"Help, help!" they shouted—yet heard no say.
The crowd stood quiet:
See not. Hear not. Look away.
Genocide blooms in full display,
Humanity fails—again—we stray.
And I? I fail myself as well,
If I don't write, if I don't tell.
City of mountains
City of mountains, where I dwelled
For countless days, my abode held
Not a tale, but memories true
With watchful eyes, my life they'd view
I stood revealed, yet unclear to see
For what did I have to hide from thee?
But fear united us, he and I
On trails we met, mountains high
Ascending peaks we both feared and knew
Now together, our dreams we pursue
O city of mountains, beloved and near
In you, our hopes and love appear
How life feels today
You ask how life feels today, my dear,
An emotional ride, that's crystal clear.
I barter to survive until twilight,
Where love and care are precious and bright.
Hatred and ignorance dominate,
Leaving me hesitant to elucidate,
Yet I feel elated, spirited, and bold,
Though my heart aches for loved ones untold.
No family, no friends in my embrace,
One smile sustains me in this lonely space.
Even waking, I exist, undead,
A zombie life, each day spreads.
My body and spirit, unscathed, endure,
This feeling, it's what keeps me pure.
Feel suffocated
When you feel suffocated, gasping for air,
Sadness and grief, a burden to bear,
Let your tears cascade, let emotions flow,
And this too shall pass, healing will grow.
When the dust settles, clearing the way,
Bury the old, the past's heavy weight,
Give it an honoured march past, let it fade,
Hold the closest hand, find strength in aid.
Hug another soul, embrace their care,
Moving on together, hearts repair,
As this too shall pass, a guiding light,
Through the darkest hours, dispelling the night.
Pray on, dream on, let your spirit soar,
Keep that inner light burning, forevermore,
As long as you breathe, as long as you keep,
The promise of life, a secret to seek.
Advise to yourself, hold onto the truth,
This too shall pass, in time's gentle soothe.
I shatter mirrors
You know me, I shatter mirrors, beware,
Remember, we share likenesses, beyond compare,
I see myself clearly, yet I choose to forget,
The familiar faces, once close, now distant and set.
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