Survival Poem by Saroj Padhi

In battle for survival,
compassion is the casualty,
driven by blind hunger
man munches bones of innocence
in dark hours of self-indulgence
spreading the virulent virus of cruelty;
animals groan in despair
without home to repair,
in the dead of night
plants shed star-crossed love's silent tear
insects run wild from forests to field in fear;
covid warriors crave for rest
as the dance of death seizes the hospital corridor.

Economy slumps to an all time low
taking livelihood out of the hands of the poor
progress takes the back seat
as life loses the ordinary cheer.

Yet all is not lost in this embattled earth
with the shadow of war planes
looming large over the border,
life trundles on
like the ancient cart on a muddy village road
raising dust from hooves of cattle
cursed to rot in fetter
trying hard to kiss the crimson glow
in the cheeks of a low-lying sky
as trees stretch out their desperate hands
from hilltops in prayer,
rain-thrashed roses lose color
yet Tuberoses with their feeble fragrance
tickle the tense chords of a ransacked heart
some lilting tunes to mutter
and Crape Jasmines with their glimmer
beam with conviction to bloom on
reposing faith in little joys of life
that in the midst of mayhem make life so dear!