I Shall Never Die Poem by Showkat Ahmad Wani

I shall not die my dear! Don't call me dead,
They pull me down and tear me from the sky
To earth they drag me, cut my wings with false,
And bruise each petal, cage the sweetened scent
Of flowers bright, and halt this steadfast bird
From wafting truth among the air of lies,
They try to curb the pen's pure curve, the right
And turn love's ink into the blood of hate,
They cut the branch and bruise my tender nest
They bend my neck and steal my tongue away,
I shall not die my dear! Don't call me dead.
I live in hearts and move among the souls,
Through skies I soar, on earth to cut the false,
And spread the truth upon the wafting breeze.
I use the words of love to share its light,
I use the words of truth to spread its flame.
I still can write with pens in others' hands,
I still can speak with voices not my own.
I still can stand upon another's legs,
I am the voice for those who cannot speak.
I still can hold a hand through others' grasp,
I still can think of good through others' minds,
I still can share my soul through those I touch;
I shall not die my dear! Don't call me dead,
I rise with dawn and gleam at heaven's height,
I rise with dawn and gleam at heaven's height,
To light the dark beneath the chinary leaves,
To melt the frost-bound face, to wake the still
Of sight, to dry the weeping mother's cloth;
I come with drops of rain to bathe the earth,
To bring the news of joy to barren hearts,
I tread with stirring gusts to touch the rose
In sleep and kiss his face, his eyes, his scent,
And kiss his dance that sways in joy's embrace.
You find me in the words beneath the folds
Of mother's face, where streams of sorrow flow,
Through countless pasts and endless fields of loss,
I shall not die my dear! Don't call me dead
(2018)