Poems

Peace

ALLaround there’s hue and cry
Violence spread over earth and sky,
Our own country is no exception
Once peace and truth was our convention.
From north to south and east to west
A horrifying scene and continuing unrest
A state of peace has became a fantasy
Unity and brotherhood illusionary
The word peace could be described variantly
Nine definitions from ten people in a society
For a mother, the safe return of her son
From the Kashmir Valley would give her peace.
For an ascetic, freedom from the cycle of
Life and death would be eternity.
But everyone without exception
Would aspire for a peaceful nation.
A place where all live without insecurity
A place rid from the JKLF and LTTE.

— Vasundhara Dalal

Cycling to glory

I still vividly remember the time
I first put my feet on the pedals the earth sliding behind and;
I tasted the sweet success and the speed.
With its shrill sound, the bell was a toy and;
The sound-music beyond all music
Every fall was an adventure
And every puncture; a cause for remorse.
I was on my own now;
Unsupported by the arms which were always there.
Feeling like a brave warrior-queen I moved on to further conquests.

— Sunita Adhikari

War and crime

Listen oh! Merciless enemies
Look at the border line
Where you have killed our soldiers
And committed a deadly crime
What do you get from these wars
A pinch of land and crown of victory
You are culprits of mother nature
Of innocent people and their misery
What do you achieve from this hatred?
All minds reeling with pain
Think and do realise this fact
And vow not to fight again
Let brotherhood shed all the pain
And all becomes fine again
Let us strive for that glory
And this earth like a star shine
No cruelities should we commit
Bless all people — Oh dear God!
Because we are all His puppets
And the sons of the same Lord.

— Nishima Wangoo