Poet expresses heartache of millions of Karachiites left to fend for themselves

After the recent death and destruction caused by torrential rains that ripped through Karachi, its troubled residents are expressing their heartache and dismay using different means of expression.

One such resident of the city of lights is Noor Mandviwalla, who has written a poem dedicated to a city trying to survive in its abject state.

‘Today, Karachi sinks. Tomorrow, we bleed,’ is the mantra of the poem, which presents a vivid commentary on the woes of the city and the suffering of its locals.

The poem entails a harrowing description of how the city — a goose that lays golden eggs for the country — has been mercilessly left to fend for itself during the floods and chaos.

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Words cannot describe the helplessness of every citizen felt in this city as rain pelted down upon us, sparing no one…taking many homes and lives with them. It breaks my heart to see my city like this. Listed below are organisations doing amazing work to provide relief for those affected by the floods (courtesy of @bhindifries). Please donate generously because we can only rely on the effort of NGOs and private organisations as the government does nothing. 1. Edhi Foundation @edhi_foundation 2. Noble Foundation @noblefoundationpk 3. Youth Interactive Alliance @youthinteractivealliance.pk 4. Robin Hood Army @rha_pakistan 5. Corona Ration Foundation @coronarationproject 6. Karachi Relief Trust @karachirelieftrust 7. Giving Galley @giving_galley 8. Khuwabe Kishwar @khuwabekishwar 9. Apna Dastarkhwan @apnadstarkhwan 10. The Elf Project @theelfproject Please let me know if I have missed any. Some people, like me, are lucky to have shelter during this time. But most are left entirely displaced; people need food, clean water, diesel and so much more….we need to stand up for those people and be their voice. Our city has been disregarded for far too long. Please accept this as my way of raising my own voice in hope for change. Karachi, I love you forever. 💔 #karachisinks #karachisinksnoonethinks #karachifloods2020 #monsoonrelief #torrentialrains #karachiunderwater #karachifloods #donationsneeded #spokenwordpoetry #griefpoetry #spokenwordartist #poetsofpakistan #poetsofinstagram #poetrycommunity #karachi #pakistan #prayforkarachi

A post shared by Noor Mandviwalla (@noormandviwalla) on Aug 28, 2020 at 6:55am PDT

The post has also provided a list of the organisations providing relief to the residents facing the brunt of the brutal rains and flooding. 

This storm will drown my city

And you will set up some godforsaken, useless committee

Just another cycle of pity

Just another promise left undone

But when the floods wash away my homes

When this city one day turns into catacombs

When the rain and thunder brings its lightening

That makes my roof go under

What will become of us? I wonder.

When all our taxes are stolen

When the bellies of our children are so hungry

They are swollen

When my people’s backs are broken

Don’t you hear Karachi say

“You’re killing me”

“One by one”

But you will only care

When the money’s run dry

You will turn to me

And I will look you dead in the eye

and say,“Look at what you’ve done”

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