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"Home"


Questions haunt - why us? Why here?
But answers have never been clearer.
Because nowhere else feels like home, no place else has the old familiarity.
Home is here, although home is on fire.
Neighbours from above, neighbours underneath - neighbours no neighbourhood would want.
Caught in between the two, home doesn't feel it belongs.
Home has traitors too - they fear their pockets won't t bulge if home is left in peace.
Strangers occupy home, killing home's members.
Home wants the much priced freedom - what's the price of freedom, you ask?
Limbs and bones, blood and lives!
But home is strong, home has hope
Home never learned to kneel.
Home retaliates, sure home pelts stones.
Strangers question, for them I quote Neruda,
"Come and see the blood in the streets.
Come and see the blood,
in the streets
Come and see,
the blood in the streets"

Author's Note

I am a resident of Kashmir. Not all of you may know that there's a shaming degree of human rights voilation in my state and we demand independence. But the people are opressed by the Indian forces. A writer cannot help but write about the political situation in which s/he is directly involved. I sure feel pablo neruda's pain here.

Reviews

[Bushra Naqshbandi]

An amazing piece Maumil! Kashmir bleeds and nobody cares. :"(
I love the intense emotions you've expressed in this poem. It brought sharp tears to my eyes and it was like reliving all the moments of grief and terror of these past days of curfew and killings. The poem is outstanding! Some lines are especially brilliant:
nowhere else feels like home, no place else has the old familiarity.
Home is here, although home is on fire.
The way you call Kashmir home and then personify it makes the grief od Kashmir even clearer and dearer :(

Caught in between the two, home doesn't feel it belongs.
Strangers occupy home, killing home's members.
"Strangers" is the perfect word for these people who lie outrageously that they're here for our protection. They never did and never will beling to Kashmir.

Home wants the much priced freedom - what's the price of freedom, you ask?
Limbs and bones, blood and lives!
The sad truth expressed beautifully.

[Coyote Poetry]

A powerful and emotional poem. The truth is hurtful and sad.
"Home has traitors too - they fear their pockets won't t bulge if home is left in peace.
Strangers occupy home, killing home's members. "
When evaded by wrong people. Only terror will be known. Thank you for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[Maumil Mehraj]

Very hurtful, indeed! Thanks for the lovely review!

[Coyote Poetry]

Was my pleasure and you are welcome.

[wordman]

the world is coming to it`s end,evil is trying to prevail

[Maumil Mehraj]

True. But there's hope, there always is!

[Paul Bell]

Writers like you highlight the plight of Kashmir. If the people want independence, they should have it. Keep writing. Good luck with any exams coming up.

[Maumil Mehraj]

We won't have any exams in such a situation. Thanks very much for stopping by :)