IN THESE HINDU TIMES

I am a Hindu and in these murderous Hindu times
I think they won’t kill me
But what will I do if spared

Except, follow the reports of daily murders
Water the few plants I have
And wonder what can a helpless poet do
To push back these Hindu times

The neighbourhood Marriage Hall will remind me
That it is a place strictly for Hindu marriages
I will count the cars of the wedding guests at night

The shehnai of Bismillah Khan will play on freely the whole night
Giving hope that secular times will return

The next morning will bring the news
Of a few more killings.

 

Translated by Asad Zaidi

Raiot

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Amitabh Written by:

Amitabh is a poet based in Darbhanga, Bihar

One Comment

  1. Meenakshi
    May 18, 2017
    Reply

    It says translated. I was hoping to read the original. I presume it’s in Hindi. Even otherwise, I would be glad if I may see and read the original.
    Thanks.

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