Silence

Silent I was

Looking at the desperate crowd jamming road

Escaping with family on long walk, no other means to afford

Reminiscent of escapade during days of country’s partition

Distressed humanity for asylum then, but now in pandemic situation

Silent I was

An innocent girl on way back from school to her place

How would she anticipate the regular path no safe space

On lonely afternoon she was brutally assaulted, murdered

A long tale to cut short her case in court case stands shelved

Silent I am

Same land, same landscape, same sky, but feel of suspicion looming

Divided humanity clogged with air of hatred suffocating

How long a man may withstand vulgar hate narrative

I need to break my silence to carry my country positive

Shyamal Mukherjee