Naaz, she called her.
Supreme Pride.
A child born to a blind mother after much adversity.
She is Allah’s blessing, her aunts would say, one so fair and comely.
And Naazo’s mother glowed in gratitude, and went peacefully to her grave, without an inkling that the light of her life had a deep cleft lip.
Wisdom Wears Neon Pyjamas 
C’mon OJ, don’t show your slip
The mother could’ve felt the lip
Unless, of course, she died at the birth
Which, of course, is no cause for mirth
In which case, dear, i concede my blip.
Aunty G’s observation is rather pertinent.
Aunty G, D: Sigh. Let me explain. Naaz was born to Nasreen Bano after much adversity–44 hours of labor, to be precise. Given that she was premature, they took her away to the NICU, where she stayed all the while Nasreen was battling for her life. Intermittently, when she regained consciousness, Nasreen would ask for her daughter and was told how beautiful she was, but before she could find out for herself, she’d slip back into an uneasy sleep. Six days after Naaz’s arrival, Nasreen lost her battle, but went gratefully, knowing she’d left behind a perfect specimen of womanhood.
There. Happy now?
Ta. However…………
If this story isn’t fiction
It lacks a certain conviction
Forty-four hours labor
For a preemee, por favor?
If fact, then in fact, there’s no constriction.
Aunty G: Remember that signature on your blog? “Truth is stranger than fiction”? Apply here. This one’s as true as they come.
Ach!!! Poor Naaz! But there’s hope! A cleft is fully correctible (If they need finance, let me know, shall try and do my bit).
And just this morning, i read about the McCains adopting a Bangldeshi clefted orphan. She’s 17 now and doing fine.
Aunty G: I wonder who does their PR. And how much they paid to have that story go around.
:-OOO What’re are you saying! ‘Tisn’t true?
Aunty G: Oh I don’t doubt that they adopted her. It’s their motive(s) I’m questioning. A nice little all-American family with their acceptance of diverse peoples. How terribly sweet. Oooh, look, is that a VOTE???
And we think we Indians are bad
It happens there too — thats sad
The almighty vote
Gets History wrote
And leaves us more cynical than glad
Aunty G: Oh please, the U.S. Presidential elections are the biggest circus ever. Nothing else even comes close.