Drizzles of rain swept past
Droplets stuck to my skin forcefully
I popped my head out for a peep
As the grey pall of monsoon swanked eerily
The hustle of the street zoomed out
I lost the rustle of the rain and breeze
I peeped down to the road
The traffic was stuck in a rut
Like a fly stuck in the jam
Vehicles floated in the jam
Like the celestial bodies in premordial soup
My bus was frozen in space
Preserved for eternity as in a black hole
A slow realisation came to head
The Indian roads have greater gravity than black holes
The clock ticks and all time measurements
Came loose to dissolve into the stillness of traffic
I snoozed to blurring dreams
As time fled past in the monsoon torrent.
Frenzy set loose inexorably
Rampaging mobs run amok
Devastation lay heavy like a leviathan.
Clouds of smoke bellowed out ominously
Ravenous flames leapt for heights
Out of the inferno's belly belched out
Acrid stench and bursting embers
Sparks launched themselves as fiery
As the beastly emotions that foamed
In that tropical town on the west coast.
* * * * * *
I was thirsty, thirsty of my primary needs
Needs I must satisfy but means I had not
Ways I did not seek for training I had not
Efforts I made not for hard work I wasn't for
Feebly I sought for a decent living
My efforts brought me no bread, half-baked as they were.
Then they came with much hype piping
Peppily I received those peppered talks
They pampered feelings of my insecure mind
They fanned a tiny ember to a shiny flame
Then heat arose, flames grew
Fuel-fed fire flickered and burnt my green patches
My green of kindness was scorched
And water of humanness was parched
My mind was turned desert and choked
All the juicy plants and fruitful trees
I drank of the communal venom
Which they had so cunningly fed me.
It was as fatal as Kaliya's poison
So deadly as the vomit of Vasuki
And floated forth more froth of venom
There was no nectar to ward off
The morbid effects of communal venom.
* * * * * * *
When shall the people realise the truth
When shall the ignorance fade
When shall the power hungry be wise.
Cry out, cry out, all you my friends
Cry out that the leaders seek wisdom
Cry out that your neighbour hear your cry
Call to peace that one might hear your plead
Put your might in building peace
Set your spirit burning for harmony and love
And we shall win our battle for peace and harmony.
(This above poem was written as a reflection in the aftermath of the communal disturbances in Gujarat in 2002. The poem belongs to the amateure category and may be modified. I welcome your suggestions and comments in the guest book.)