A poet-rascal-clown was born,The frightened child who would not eatOr sleep, a boy of meager bone.He never learned to fly a kite,His borrowed top refused to spin. I went to Roman Catholic school,A mugging Jew among the wolves.They told me I had killed the Christ,That year I won the scripture prize.A Muslim sportsman boxed my … Read more
Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary, Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore— While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping, As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door. “’Tis some visitor,” I muttered, “tapping at my chamber door— Only this … Read more
Hum hain iske malik, Hindostan hamara.Pak watan hai qaum ka, jannat se bhi pyara…Ye hai hamari milkiyat, Hindostan hamara.Iski ruhaniyat se roshan hai jag sara… We are its owner, Hindustan is ours.Our nation is sacred, dearer than heavenThe world is aglow with the light of its soulHow old, how new, best of all worldOur very … Read more
Part 1 Eagles cartwheeled above illuminationsOf Independence Day, the dogs sniffed atThe electric bulbs which sizzled like fatThe tall grass the monsoons left on the mountainsWas aflame like corn in the setting August sunTwo stones collided, sparked. India began to burn. Part 2 At Mahatma Gandhi’ s prayer meeting,Under Ashoka’s wheel on the tricolour,The air … Read more
Part 1 Movement, sure. Millions movingFrom that side to this side,From this side to that side, and back again sometimes,Across the thoughtful movementWherein stood those who were undecided, and suspect,Like border-posts signifying the mid-frontier.The sultry summer-if you know what I mean-behind us.The blistering journeys on foot, the grinding oxcartExpeditions, the slow, steamy railwaysAnd their marauders … Read more
