AFTER WAR

AFTER WAR

I am burning with the fire of anger

I am drowning in the ocean of sorrow

I was taken by the wind of boredom

And was pushed into a slumber, so long

       I was woken by the gun fires

       From everywhere

       And left me with fear

       Alone in the pitch-black darkness

I am tired and weary

Can’t stand on my feet

I am crawling

       Is it the dusk or the dawn, I can’t see

       Is it the sound of the chattering river or

       The cry of innocent, I can’t hear

       Is it the scent of the cherry blossom or

       The smell of rotten corpses, I can’t smell.

                                         Lubabath Ummer

                                             XI A