Sample this beautiful fusion poem from a certain Mr Michael Creighton, who teaches English in a school at Delhi. This poem appeared in the Mint Lounge edition of October 24 2009. This poem was tugged on the bottom right corner of the newspaper and would have most certainly missed my attention, had it not been for the wonderful rhyming pattern that caught my attention. Mr Creighton tries to capture the essence of Urdu Shayari style in English and does an excellent job. I think this is the first poem of its kind that I’ve read.
( For those who are new to Shayari - One of the characteristic things about Urdu couplets ( Shayari ) is that they follow the aa-ba-ba-ba format. While they not necessarily rhyme in the b-b part, the a-a part always matches. )
http://www.livemint.com/2009/10/23225111/New-Delhi-Love-Song.html
Smog and dust mix with the air in New Delhi.
I buy jasmine for her hair in New Delhi.
People come from everywhere to this city;
all are welcomed with a stare in New Delhi.
The finest things in life don’t come without danger.
Eat the street food, if you dare, in New Delhi.
We push in line and fight all day for each rupee.
Can you remember what is fair in New Delhi?
There is nothing you can’t find in our markets.
Socks and dreams sell by the pair in New Delhi.
So many families on the street through the winter;
Sometimes good men forget to care in New Delhi.
My friends ask, Michael, why’d you leave your own country?
I found jasmine for her here, in New Delhi.