Until the demons are done

That day,

the sun must have frozen for a while

when they descended

upon the meadow,

filled with deceit,

and caught an eight year old

in the middle of her laughter.

The torn shroud,

with little left to doubt,

will it ever forgive us -

our complicity in the crime?

What have we become?

The jagged horizon

stares without a blink.

Why does it not speak,

stand witness

seek justice?

Was it not awake then?

A solitary cloud

hangs over the meadow.

Is it searching for the horses

she left behind that day.

A solitary cloud…?

Resurrection?

Give me some hope.

Give me a sign

you are there

to hear

if I apologize.

I wish to apologize

for not doing enough

to prevent the demons

from growing amongst.

I should have known better.

They eat little girls.

Their hate-filled souls

stalk in lonely meadows

and the temples of their gods.

Give me some hope.

Promise, you will come

again across that meadow

and take the horses home

when the demons are done.

I promise in return

I will leave no stones unturned

until the demons are done!

Together, we shall overcome!

Parvez

April 20, 2018

Ref: http://indianexpress.com/article/india/kathua-rape-murder-case-a-fathers-anguish-she-did-not-know-right-from-left-what-hindu-muslim-5135412/

https://www.facebook.com/madhu.siraj/videos/10155492809848316/

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Horses must be tamed!

I.

Some cheat on a partner.
Some on a little child.
Some on their own self.
Some are too beguiled.

And the world carries on
Even when it is torn
To shreds as petty properties
That someone else will own.

Someone else out their dies
In some patriotic fight
While valor is rewarded
By those, who sit on bribes
And drink from crystal glasses
That shine of blood and sweat
Of all those godforsaken souls
Who tread the beaten tracks.

II.

The horses must be tamed!
For, blinded they can fetch
A fortune for their masters
And the sacred, holy sketch.

Question not what we give you?
You give yourself to us
“Work is worship” get that chant
Do not create a fuss.
This life, it is but, just a test
The real one lies ahead
Way beyond the seven seas
And seven mountain crests.
Where you shall meet the king of kings
And live in luxury
But for that dream to be, you must
First burn in penury.
And lose yourself in the twists and turns
That this story has
About the nether world of gods
And all that snazzy jazz.

Untill you question, doubt and search
We cannot take you in.
If you can submit soullessly,
You are accepted kin.

But be prepared to sacrifice
No matter who shall throw the dice
Give us everything that you have

Then hail the lord and hit the sack

No matter what, do not look back.
Those blisters aren’t anything -
An illusion, just a worldly thing.

III.

And you my friend, this is your test.
Old dry bread, a heavy head
The scorns, your needs and miseries,
Blood or sweat or buckling knees
Must hail the lord. All hail the lord!
Inhale the love. Play a happy chord.
He’s watching you. He’s testing you.
And after death you shall attain
An existence in the promised land

With milk and honey and all the fruits

You know the land, you know the truths.

And we shall take your worldly things
And let our coffers overflow
With sweat and blood that you must drip
Miracles - our modest growth.

The angels dance all over you.
They love you, but won’t interfere.
Your miseries are for you to bear
If heaven you must dare.

In the end where does one stand
Ethical grounds, religious bands
Or to each a separate way

Someone, somewhere had this to say,
“Ethics make you do what’s right
No matter what you are told.
Religion makes you do what’s told
No matter what is right.”

Somewhere there are some portraits grey
That chain the mind, always at bay
And pride, you may have buried deep
Somewhere beneath some petty creep.

Parvez

(Published in Feb 2012 in Financial Chronicle)