Write Even If You Are Afraid Of Writing.

English is my fourth language (Saraiki, Punjabi, Urdu/Hindi being the first 3). I write in all four. Agnostic of which language I write in, I’m always scared that it’s not good enough. But, it’s just a writer’s-phobia.

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

My late father (may he rest in eternal peace) was a writer and poet, among other things. He wrote short stories, prose, and poetry in 2 languages: Saraiki and Urdu. When I was 14, he wanted to teach me how to write short stories, prose, and poetry, but All I wanted to do was: play cricket, billiards, and not listen to him.

Many years later, l wish I listened to him a bit more. It is useless to cry over the spilt milk now, but 2 years ago, I realised that he, along with his poetry, still exists in me. And, I may know many of things about writing poetry which he might have wanted to teach me.

In 2018 while living in Dubai, I met a few artistic and romantic souls at work. All they would talk in our chats will be about beaches, jungles, nature, and different shapes and farms of love. I was quickly drawn to their company and enjoyed those discussions.

It still didn’t trigger ‘writing’ or ‘poetry’ in me. During the same period, friends and family…