Helplessness over terror attacks in New Delhi and elsewhere in the world
A question that begged for answers
A Question that Begged for Answers…
Is it worth bringing a child into the world, mother?
Terror has taken over our lives, lamented my daughter…
Her question haunted me, and I pondered a while.
Life is so precious, yet so ephemeral and fragile.
Are you going to just watch and give in to despair?
Or face with hope, courage, grit and prayer.
All is not lost, though we still in darkness grope,
Didn’t you see the euphoria over the coronation of hope?
Did you hear of Anna Hazare’s fast and clarion call?
The world watched with disbelief and fascination.
The entire nation in support walked to Ramlila Maidan.
So dear, don’t fret and take part in the jubilations.
World is willing to look beyond narrow concerns,
Lessons from history are slowly being learned.
One’s who had been for long marginalised,
Will not endure disdain, is finally realised.
You can’t deny, road is paved with trials and strife…
The truth in all honesty my dear, that’s called life…
Let’s start with ourselves and be the change we want,
And not just ruminate and wait for a magic wand.
To heal ourselves and all those out there,
Charity begins at home but does not end there.
So don’t deny yourself joys of motherhood,
Give her time, love, and values from early childhood.
Teach her we are all equal in the eyes of God,
Despite colour and creed, seeds of the same pod.
Give her roots, wings and dare to have her own dreams,
See how she blossoms like a lotus with self esteem…
Destiny of man is in the hands of coming generations.
We can live in harmony with love and compassion.
Inner light is slowly and surely beginning to shine,
People are not watching with apathy from side lines.
Winds of change are blowing, the mood is infectious
Winds of change are blowing, the moment is propitious…
If we can just make one person smile or wipe a tear,
I believe your child will grow without angst and fear.
‘Every child comes with a message that God is not yet
Discouraged of man’, wrote Tagore, I can never forget
What more can I add to answer your question my daughter.
She looked at me, said, my little girl needs a sibling mother.
Then she walked towards the window, looking lost and sad.
I saw a big blood stain on the seat of her white linen pants.
Child go change your clothes, they are stained and spoilt.
Are they, it seems nature took the decision out of our hands.
First published in SAARC JOURNAL, ' BEYOND BORDERS'
Edited after reading of Terror attack in New Delhi High court on 07.09.2012
TRUE ! IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT THE INNOCENT CITIZENS ARE KILLED EVERYWHERE !WHY NOT TARGET THOSE CORRUPT & DISHONEST MINISTERS INSTEAD ? THEY ARE ROBBING THEIR OWN COUNTRY MUCH MORE THAN THE BRITISH DID TO INDIA !!! Thanks , -Raj
Mamtaji again an excellent and timely retort.
Firstly Man must understand himself then others,Humanity never rests on altars it's always in the fragile heart? World full of terror! You remind us and thanks.
I read every profound word, twice; the second time, aloud. There will always be those, Mamta, who worship only hate. It makes no difference what faith they claim, or what cause they espouse, because whatever it might be, it's only purpose is to serve as a mask covering the true ugliness of their souls.
Premji, I heard someone express the same sentiments on TV.
this world is made of faith... they wants to break this faith...
A child is a reminder that life is always hopeful. Even on the darkest day...hope exists for the taking. Terrorists and Politicians are cut from the same piece of cloth. One seeks power with a false smile and a handshake...the other with a switchblade and explosives. Both play on our fears and not on what is best in us.
Excellent write Mamata, what has happened to our world ?
Powerful poem written very beautifully in captivating rhyming diction, Mamta...the closing verse is highly suggestive on your poem concept and poetically imaginative...despite lamenting on the damages the mankind is facing, your poem projects a ray of hopes in your silver-streak words to quote, ''If we can just make one person smile or wipe a tear/I believe your child will grow without angst and fear''...brilliant poetic expression all over lines
Kamala, it's heartwrenching to read and see the devastation, despair, trauma, sense of futility writ large on agonising faces in the newspaper early in the morning. You nailed it, utter apathy on the part of ones in power.
A timely and powerfully expressed thought-provoking write that mirrors the sad conditions of our present terror-ridden society. ‘Every child comes with a message that God is not yet Discouraged of man’, This is all that every mother can tell her daughter when she poses a question that you have begun your lovely write with. Thanks for sharing this piece, Mamta.
Sad truth but beautiful poem; We've lost peace to a sickening degree. I believe if time has to write its own diary, it'll be as sad and inspiring as Anne Frank's diary; The question the girl puts forth in this poem is intriguingly sad and for some time may remain unanswered. Thanks for this great piece of work.
A timely thought, you have brought in this poem again, which is praiseworthy indeed Mamta. Our hopes are getting thwarted everytime an intruder humiliates the nation. Why do we need potatoes ruling the nation, calmly watching the people die. I believe these potatoes needs to be removed. Is there a possibility. Like Julian Assange retorted to Mayawati when she called him insane, he said, if she can get him out of house arrest at london, then he'll happily come to India, where he believes is the best political asylum is. The one's we elected are bringing us shame, just shame. Like what has happened at NewDelhi, whenever a bomb goes off, we find some humiliating results. Alarms faulty, Security failure, several listless reasons. and a word from the PrimeM, 'We need to be calm and patient, tolerant'. Now see who is killing this country. The outsider or the real insider??
Mamta excellent penning on what is happening to day in many parts of the world sad but true.
A very deep write Mamta....you have raised the questions and tried to answer them as well... Hopefully the winds of change will blow away the sense of despair and replace it with hope....TFS
Mothers usually give good advice, and yours was great. The world will never be a perfect place for more new life... but if we get pessimistic all life would stop. Sad about the loss... well penned!