Friday, April 12, 2013

Martyrs (In memory of a student killed in police custody)

Plucked,
From the start-studded branch full in bloom,
It falls among ensanguined waves that have borne
Too many of fresh-fallen gems.

Packed now with fragments of petals amid rush
My streets, they have moulded a lost autumn-look,
With nooks full of red fallen leaves.

These will no longer just sodden lie;
But flown atop waves full of much-needed rage
Will harden as crystallized shells that'll blow
And crash their towers of ivory and glass
With roars that'll singe sullen shores.

Even as throned powers revel now or gloat,
Petals and leaves do murmur in gloom
And plot their eventual doom.


14 comments:

Panchali said...

A heartrending piece, abin. Beautiful tribute...
Bengal is already seething with anger. Today, WB is becoming the most uncostitutional State in India with utter lawlessness. Sigh!

Unknown said...

That second stanza is powerfully image-filled. A great write. So sorry about the turmoil in your homeland.

Lisa A. Williams said...

A very strong write and a wonderful job of describing the situation.

Sarav said...

A strong and emotional piece, that line "will harden as crystallized shells that'll blow and crash their towers of ivory and glass" you can just feel the violence--so sorry that there is so much unrest and anger. I hope that peace will come soon.

Anonymous said...

Awesome!
ZQ

Brother Ollie said...

A sad tribute Abin. Your tone is so sombre and powerful.

Kerry O'Connor said...

I always feel a sense of outrage at needless police brutality and it is a problem the world over..a sanguine tide indeed.

Helen said...

At first glance I saw the word sadden .. these will no longer just 'sodden' lie. Both words appropriate.

Kay L. Davies said...

"red fallen leaves"
So sad, Abin.
K

Laura said...

powerful!

Margaret said...

Just carnage all over, whether police, or terrorist, or neighbor upon neighbor.... it all breaks my heart.

Poetry is a powerful way to remember...

Anonymous said...

The memories become weaponized, used as ammunition (crystallized shells), thrown from seas of rage. Brilliant metaphor. Brilliant writing.

The opening line, "start-studded," is fantastically well done. I am a huge fan of your wordplay.

Unknown said...

It's sad and very moving.'Petals and leaves do murmur in gloom' what a way to describe an undercurrent during an unrest.

Jinksy said...

Unrest and aftermath captured to a T...