War-Child
Arun Maji
Copyright: Arun Maji //////
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Then
There was the cloudless sky
Moon-lit and starry.
As if the sky was in laughter
As if the stars and the moon
Were laughing at each other.
Dew was just settling in
Drop by drop, on tip of the grasses.
The birds were flapping their wings
For one last time of the day.
The bees were still humming awkwardly
For some unknown reason.
Someone was singing Ghazal
He was still in his introduction.
His harmonium was crying
As if in pain.
One cricket was chirping in between
As if she is was in pain too.
Then
There was a brief flash of light.
As if it came from the sky
And disappeared onto the sky.
Before surprise of light was over
There was a blast
Big and deafening.
It echoed
Between the hills on two sides.
As if this whole world
Exploded.
Then
There was the darkness
Dead and blind.
A huge ring of fire
Followed that sharp
And brief darkness.
The fire danced wildly
Swaying her hips.
While dancing-
She ate everything
On her way.
As if she was avenging
Her own death in past.
In torch of that fire-lady
I could see smoke
Dense at first, then sparse.
Then
I could see only ashes
black and charred.
They were darker than
Early night.
Suddenly the wind blew hard
Suddenly there was stillness
Suddenly there was gripping fear
Suddenly there was smell of death
Suddenly there was smell of burnt flesh
Suddenly there was cry
Suddenly there was tears in my eyes.
I sobbed
Then I cried
I cried loud.
My heart jolted in fear.
I cried “dad”
I cried “mum”
None responded.
I searched them in darkness.
I heard a shrilled cry.
I ran towards that cry.
There were burnt woods
And beneath that
Lying you poor child gasping.
You were clenched and charred
Still held firm by mum’s disfigured arms.
I cried “mum”
“Mum”!
I could not see her face.
I never saw her again.
Then you grew up.
They now call you an orphan.
But I call you a “war child”.
You are a “war child”, Safi.
You were born in womb of war
You would die in womb of war.
Hold this Safi
Hold this firm.
This is your begging bowl.
Imagine-
This is your book
This is your bat
This is your dream
This is your life.
You are a beggar, Safi.
You are a beggar.
Aggressively beggar
Frighteningly beggar.
Beg Safi, beg
Beg again-
“Baba, a single coin
Baba, a single coin” .
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