A Poem on Humanity by Alok Mishra

Who am I?

I sleep on the bed called earth;
I cover myself
from cold and sun
with the cloth called sky.
I came from the land of terror;
I could barely save
the carcass that breaths death!
I need a place,
and solace;
I need sympathy and love.
I need no more
the shadows
of guns and military dress.
I need food to eat,
but I have seen them
feeding bullets to a child of three.
I wish independence,
but I have witnessed them
setting many souls free!
Will you understand
what I need?
Yes, the blood is red
that I bleed…
I am also human,
but tortured by fate
and those who
fear the language of love.
With hope, I sailed
to your land.
My future will not lament
the loss
if I have two pieces of bread
and something to do and earn those.
My tattered dreams will bless
you,
just let me be someone
who smiles back once you smile
and say ‘hello’.

Let me have a small corner
on your land,
and in your heart.
I do breathe as yet,
please let me be a part
of sane human society
away of tyranny!

Alok Mishra