Echoes Of Departed Poem by P S Manojkumar .

While combing hair
by the window,
a weight pierced the heart.
On the white overcoat,
the red circle
became bigger.
No time for one cough,
couldn't complete
what was spoken to mother.
Did I plummet down,
spinning in the whirling wind,
dampened with snow.

(2)
Thought at first
has lurched
with the weight of the school bag.

All the questions taught
for the exam came.
mother's low voice
as answers to each question
circled in the ear.
mother's low voice.

Am I Falling Sideways?
not able to stand at all,
something sticky around the head,
spreading Like blood.

My mother…

(3)
Went into the forest for collecting wood.
the blow on the back of the neck
caused staggering.
fell hitting the torso.
tried rising with hands bolstering.

Leather spiked boots
stomped on hands.
things akin to that
fell heavily on the back.
then in many places, many many stuff.

It was then that I knew.
A body can endure this much pain,
and weaken so much.
That I can scream so loudly.
The hair I grew with care
can become so painful.
The clothes I have held on to without being worn -out
can so easily be ripped out.

Scream you whore
were the last words heard.

Curved like a bow
when something hefty
pierced through the neck.

(4)
The beard was long
was the crime.
The first Beating
came while pulling it.
Being born and living
were the major crimes.

The medicines bought for the kid
lay in the gutter.
Why couldn't I get it stretching hands?
The dread for my child
is it not weakening me.
Thinking of her shivering with fever
is her body shivering.

The gutter water is flowing red.

(5)
They came with my son
to the place where I was selling kulfi.

His lips were torn and bleeding
must be, because of the smack on the face.
Blood dripped from his nose
I only remembered raising hands to
fondle his face.

I learned
while standing in the court
that the kulfi box was full of explosives.
has never seen anything like that before
while giving kulfi
to my children,
to faceless, nameless people.

But the court has acknowledged that --
tomorrow is judgment day.

Where are they taking me this night?
are there also some others with us?
why did they stop the vehicle here?
why are they putting me down here?
not me alone?

Shattering spine
piercing chest
something flew past
was it the sound of gunfire?

The Day of Judgment is tomorrow-
Has not the court understood it?


Translated from Malayalam by Bindu Jagadeesh