the lovable

we know, we know
you are innocent
caught in the eye of the storm
lashed you, hounded you
for six long months

yet stoic and subdued
not a voice you raised
you endured!
you endured for him.

sons of politicians ring
death knell for fathers
but
a father for his daughter
unheard of until now!


we understand! we understand!
your love for him sealed your lips
submerged you under his favours

but you are a wife
also a mother
you owe them that much
your name to be cleared!


raise your voice
clear your name
you owe yourself that much
you will! you will!
we know
you will!

ratnaprabha r raykar

Anna ...as seen by a twelve year old

I am twelve
I do not know what the 'hullaboo' is about
'corruption' is a word alien to me
yet I know it will spew thorns in my way


but..I feel it in my bones
Anna is right!
I see honesty shining in his eyes
uprightness in his thoughts
hard is the road chosen
but steel is his will

bouyed by thundering voice of the masses
Anna has arrived!
and
corruption muzzled
Ratnaprabha r raykar

as the evening meets the dark

As the evening meets the dark

mysteries of night turn deeper

bats and owls turn up their antennae

so do the vices of the world

the drunkard and the beggar don different roles

they turn kings with their bottle of hooch

their dose of hooch erases the boundary between them

young rag pickers slip into worlds unknown

with a tube of whitener

broken corex bottles tell another story

the painted butterfly lingers around

waiting for its prey

the prey creeps sheepishly

the deal is struck and sealed

I shudder to think of vices more vile

as I lie ensconced in the warmth of my home

the hearth made warmer by the love of my kin

Almighty my state is your dole

Ratnaprabha r raykar