Let there be light where there is not, alas we sit where lives are lost
Half-swallowed by grieving blue moon,
I slide through the windowless tunnel of monasteries and memories —
Black and white photographs of my father, mother and brothers.
Remember —
Lulling myself with the burning poppy flowers,
I am alone, and vie with fear
in the corner of her eye.
Is there excess of rain
or stained-sunshine in the valley?
Remember —
After they died chasing butterflies in the meadows
I see rivers of blood washing our sins,
their mouths full of names
no one speaks…
Where are you now, Shahid?
Grant me a prophecy — I will meet her again in the after-life!
Ashwani Kumar is a poet, political scientist and professor in Mumbai. His his most recent collection of poems is titled Map of Memories