It was Daoud who first used the term
Babasha,
quickly followed by Achmed ,Mohammed and the rest of the crew,
Babasha this,Babasha that,
Babasha we must go to Mazaar,
Babasha please,more money for fuel,for food
I felt so pleased and Honoured

Babasha is a term of acceptence,
of endearment,respect,friendship
not easily given to an outsider,
the Afghans rightly or wrongly
believe age brings wisdom
myself I am not to sure about that
experience yes,wisdom?
they give respect to the Elders
for they have seen much
that the young have not,
as an outsider it is the Elders
that you must talk to,get on your side
for without them you are lost.

How sad that in our world
more often then not
the Elders are farmed out
to Rest Homes,forgotten
thought of as an expense
by the children they have raised.

Babasha=Grandfather