Poetry: Laksmisree Banerjee

Laksmisree Banerjee

WOMAN

I am a Woman, an amazing tree of life

a stunning follicle of immensity

fruit, flower and foliage of being and unbeing

of all that breathes inside and outside---

I am a Woman of wise wistfulness

a re- building after all erosion and sighs

the rage and calm of the flowing river

a ravage and rubble of the hibernating seed---

I am a Woman born in the eye of a storm

a cardinal rib that protects your soul

a tingle of ebullience in ruddy tears

invincible joy breaking open claws of grief---

I am a Woman of a continuity unstoppable

despite all lies I enrich with truth of knowledge

I rise to kiss the stars and delve into the deep

I remain the womb, the cell and over- arching pulsation---

I am a Woman holding the enormity of life

It is hard to read the riddles I clasp

for I am your genesis, your love and hate forever

your creation and annihilation ín dawn and dusk.

***

ONCE AGAIN OUR LOST VOICE

Once again the roaring wind

brushes, lashes past shoulders

dishevelled peoples and races

annihilation more fierce

more disruptive than ever before

raising fears and slogans

against the green and blue

confused and segmented

against all free unfurling

all curbed to nought once again---

 

Once again the lost ballot

weird thoughts and heresies

against liberal words and acts

against brotherhood

nothing, just nothing

but the forecast of

decrepitude of tears

the ravage of power

denudation of unsuspecting

loves and lives---

There you go once again

as you knowingly trump

as you dump, as you bump

as you stoke the fire and pump

to make more hate-zones

and fences with bristles

clamp and stop the onward going

all understanding spilt in murk

as divisive authority reigns again

as humanity stares a dumb onlooker

once again our lost voice

once again, once again.

***

---

Setu, December 2024