Vanity’s

By Shabbir Poonawala

Vanity, they say not to get close to you

You turn people’s minds, is it true? 

You tell them tales of grandiosity

Of fanciful dreams amidst reality

Do you make them lust, do you make them hungry?

Tell me vanity, is this your modus operandi?

You seep in through the mirror and you seep in through the lens

you seep in through the sound of claps

And you jump over the conscious fence

You fill their thoughts with ignorance and greed

So, on that land nothing else shall breed

Their head in the mist, it's natural they'd fall down

And vanity you will jump to another who wears the crown

Part 2 (Vanity’s Response)

To dignify you with a reason

Is not a part of my obligation

Through broken mirrors 

Or unworthy song

Like the rest, I too must live on

Avoid my gaze stranger if you can, 

For when you look in the mirror, I'll be looking back

When you succeed over your friend or brother

I'll be there to lead you asunder

Make you feel like a King or God

Even though that could be the beginning of your downfall

Avoid my gaze stranger if you can

I'm only worried about the humble man

By Shabbir Poonawala