Night’s Tale

 I wandered alone in silence

the starless night swaddled in darkness

attacked me in anger, frustration
ignorant of night's follies

which men indulge in arrogance:

I wanted to swallow the dark night

for my scant food does not lessen

the burden of earth or crude hunger.

Don’t open the window for the  dark

to descend on my heavy soul.

How strange no stars could guide

to the temple where Asifa was tied

in malignant ropes of silly pride

ears too failed to hear the cries

the angel made, even temple bells

could not chime her pain.

How long she could bear

the torture the brutes gave her

O’ you men what pleasure did you get

tearing the delicate frame

of a girl of just eight, darling

of her parents eyes: if flesh

you need, be a customer

in the Red zones where shops

are open for your itches,

for God’s sake spare these tiny souls

who have not seen life yet.

Asifa is now free from the body cage

defiled  by predators of lust

the grave now is her home

allow her to rest in peace.

I’ll now place sweet jasmines

to mock at the night on her grave

and bind the night in the hollow

of my eyes never to witness light.

Sabita sahu