Daily, newspapers and TV channels report:
Unrest is fuming unrest.
The excruciating agony of nations,
Riddled by the shambles of reality –
War, famines, tsunami, corruption,
Interrupt my life, hardly.
What view is to be taken,
To stop feeling bound with my
Own life, and is that feasible?
The intermittent lulls of being a soldier
From my desk is the easy habit
Of commitment for me!

 

I am aware:
Somewhere, a child is dying
By the experience of starvation.
I am aware:
Somewhere, mothers with kids
Are being raped.
I am aware:
Somewhere, streets are bloody
To show off the rule of life:
Might is Right.
I know:
It is all wrong.

 

Invariably, the capacity of sleep wavers.
In fiery madness,
Demonic sounds approach my ears.
I am alone and submissive
To the voices of tanks, bombs,
Anything that kills life.
There is blazing fire.
I am a cowering prisoner.
Then, with a startling suddenness,
I am awake!

 

What view is to be taken,
To stop feeling bound with my
Own life...?

 

Dubai
30th May 2011

                          

Geeta Chhabra

 

(From the book: An Indian Ode To The Emirates)