Mind’s Monologue

My mind is in a great commotion,

Tossed in a storm of emotion

Disillusioned; what’s in my future lies,

Alienation, detachment spread before my eyes

Sympathetic? Want to know who am I?

This is my predicament, Indian Muslim am I

‘Indian’ and ‘Muslim’ both are part of my identity

Not ready to lose either, no matter come what calamity

This is my native land yet myself a stranger

Alas! My own people have put me in this danger

Orphanatic sense in my mind raises some question

My mind’s monologue gives me unbearable tension

Smell of my blood and sweat in this earth are mixed

My experiences, thoughts and feelings in its heart are fixed

My sacrifices remain unnoticed, my cries unheard

My patriotism being questioned, identity blurred

Hopelessness, Darkness surrounds me everywhere

Genocide, massacres, O Lord! Am I safe anywhere?

Everywhere its same concrete jungle with civilized beast

From white foxes in West to Saffron vultures in East.