Unsettling Poem by BASAB CHAUDHURI

and then
gradually they moved to nearby towns
where they were mostly unnoticed
kind of burden
strangers, different, uncouth, uninvited

not that they didn't realize their predicament
they could never settle - bulldozer, order
they had their life outside the ribcage
any time they could be taken away
unwanted, mischief makers

they ask questions, uncomfortable
raise issues silently - their eyes
they die, unceremonious, nonchalant
no count, business as usual
but they cannot be erased

cannot be erased is the issue
existence interrogates
even those who ignore are unsteady
the air is heavy, children are in shock
dispassionate, yet can't forget

this world opulent
hopeless, stony