The lipstick and the pomegranate

“If you read a man's narrative, you just know it's not written by a woman,” said literary critic Muneeza Shamsie in “The Women as a Writer” on the second day of Hay. The session, moderated by Tahmima Anam, also included Indian novelists Manju Kapur and Nilanjana Roy.

In fits of laughter

When a man declares, “My mission in life is to make people laugh”, you can be sure you're in for an evening of hysterics. Naveed Mahbub launched his new book “Humorously Yours” on Friday at Hay Fest.

China fall of a giant on the horizon?

The last day of this year's Hay Festival highlighted a promising session on the rise of China and the increasing challenges it faces in a globalised world.

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Just Because

TJ Dema

Because I know you are going to ask
where the flowers are,
I have picked roses red and sweet,
left them by the wayside for the birds to eat.

Because I know you are going to ask
where the sweets are,
I have made you halwa with these hands,
stirred and then spilt what was yours.

Because I know you are going to ask
where I am,
I have long left the place I was,
to walk slow between the trees

Where your greedy eye cannot reach me.

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