AFSPA, the Law that kills at will
Surendranath Sharma Laimayum *
Here I pause
At my farmstead
Still, like a post
With fear in my mind
Feet in the slush
With Oxen and plough
Here I lie
At my homestead
Frozen, like a corpse
With fright in my heart
Of what might come by
Betwixt now and morrow
Why your ears in alarm harken
At almost every innocent thud?
Tell us grandpa, your fount of angst
That we may learn to fend or flee
From the spirits of the woods
Before darkness smothers the light
O children, hear me keen
There lives a slayer not a being
Created by peoples' High Council
Short and stout but ferociously wild
Foe of mercy, AFSPA its name
It is a law that kills at will.
Like kids in morbid fear
Of ghouls and ghosts secretly
I fear the AFSPA furtively
From hell may tread their murderous boots
To beat, torture, gag or drag
Or just to ruthlessly shoot to kill!
Like a ravenous hound retained
To watch over the unsuspecting herd
Sentinel or slayer, its shade is grey
Proclaim though to be warden fair
It yet devours man and child
AFSPA, the law that kills at will!
* Poem written by Surendranath Sharma Laimayum which was published at Hueiyen Lanpao (English Edition)
This poem was webcasted on July 19 2013.
* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.