Beginning of peace.

They ask us to give up;
Forget our freedom.
‘Your struggle is hopeless,
Your blood, water.’

They clean their sinful bodies,
With sinless gore.
Atone by tormenting,
The youth; our future.

They say we are treacherous,
For demanding what’s ours,
Treat us like monsters,
In an attempt to help.

They sneer at our bloodbath,
The innocent ichor laughs.
We don’t need guns and arms,
To fight them back.

They bury us like seeds,
We promise we’ll grow.
We are destined to propagate,
Our courage shall prevail.

They are trying to haul us
Into a mayhem,
But isn’t chaos
The beginning of peace?

Reviews

[Einstein Noodle]

i feel the conflict .. "they" being your antagonist yet "with sinless gore" and atone by tormenting ... perhaps that is the purpose in the opposing forces within one "they" ...
"Treat us like monsters,
In an attempt to help." ... i try but am unable to attach a connection with either your protagonist nor antagonist ... i am confused ... your closing for me makes a strong point .. chaos, anarchy and destruction throughout history will give rise to something anew ... V4 and 5 bring thoughts of terrorism to mind ... a sense of threat to propagate as it were ... i think you have something important to say in this .. its a perspective many have no idea about .. living in an oppressive and violent condition can't be truly felt by those who aren't in it ... but the contrasts confuse me .. i know i should cheer for your protagonist but the waters are murky for me ..probably just me tho, Fairy ;) i am old and out of a lot of things ... this first read this morning takes me by surprise by its force and passion
E.

[Fairy Khan]

Greetings,
You could follow the link to understand the context of my poem.
https://www.bbc.com/news/10537286

[Einstein Noodle]

thank you ... going there now ;)

[Einstein Noodle]

my goodness ... seems only antagonists are involved .. i have held little knowledge of the struggle over Kashmir ..only that India and Pakistan for decades have been fighting and threatening ... it does help to know your poem is about that struggle ... i can't help but think Kashmir should be allowed their own country .. but from the article you suggest i get a hint that they are not economically sound enough to do that ... i would think tourism would be a big thing there for sure .. if it could maintain stronger peace and security .. may i ask, Ms. Fairy Khurshid Khan (love that handle) are you from one of the regions???

[Fairy Khan]

Yes, I am from Kashmir.
There is a wrong connotion that Kashmir is not economically sound, when in reality even in such hostile conditions which inhibit growth, the standard of living of Kashmiris is better than most people from India and Pakistan, and is extremely rich in terms of resources.

[Einstein Noodle]

is there a strong desire to be "Kashmir" its own country?? or are people and yourself ok with the division?? only looking a little i read that Kashmir is often compared to Switzerland .. especially the beauty of each country

[Fairy Khan]

Yes. You are right. It's a beautiful place. The people are more inclined towards the idea of a separate nation, rather than being a part of either India or Pakistan.

[Einstein Noodle]

yes .. even with little knowledge .. i would think it would be so .. i would ... its so nice to know you a bit more Fairy ... love that handle by the way ;)

[barleygirl]

This is a great statement filled with humanity. This is the second thing I've read about Kashmir in a row here this morning & I'm sorry to say, I've not been paying attention to what's going on anywhere in the world. I've been too busy trying to block out the rage & divisiveness of the USA social discourse these days. That being said, your message gives us THE FEEL for what's going on . . . something many political messages forget to do . . . let the reader feel the humanity of a situation (or lack thereof). Your metaphors POP! Your determined tone is commendable (but not convincing -- many feel this world is spiraling to an ever-blacker place). Many times I have thought something along the lines of your well-crafted final sentiments, in the hopes that this current chaos blasts thru whatever is clogging the channels of progress around the world (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Kesch (Finding Julia)]

Wow, this is so very thought provoking and very well thought out.

[Fairy Khan]

Many thank yous, kescha.

[TheJordBaker]

Very well written and thought provoking piece, I love the battle between chaos and peace and the battling antonymns throughout.

[Fairy Khan]

Thanks, Jord.

[Lea Sheryn]

It is important to stand up against repression. In order to make improvements in life, we often have to face those who seek to oppress our freedom. When diplomacy doesn't work, we have to stand up and fight.

[Fairy Khan]

The feelings are mutual. We have to stand up for ourselves at some point or another if nobody else is!

[Lea Sheryn]

You are very right. We can't depend on others to stand up for us. We have to stand up for ourselves.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Often in history right has been wronged and power wins corrupt wars against the good. You capture the forlorn and sad nature of supression and the subjugation of people so well in this defiant freeverse!

[Fairy Khan]

Agreed.
Thanks, John. :)

[Paul Bell]

Sadly you need to win the war to win the peace.
But youth will prevail, they have time on their side.

[Fairy Khan]

Time is a great deciding factor, but so is your will. I believe that atrocities do come to an end eventually, and only the equitable and the reasonable triumph.

[Jibey]

The politics of our world are a cause of despair, as power-mad leaders seek their own prosperity in the guise of man-made policies... and yes, out of the brutal struggles of peoples comes something new, sometimes better sometimes worse... the human spirit will not be crushed, burial is the precursor to resurrection .. I loved the defiant spirit in this write...

[Fairy Khan]

You’re right.
A British politician of the 19th century named Lord Acton said, “Absolute power corrupts absolutely”, which I think is absolutely true.

Thanks a lot for reading, Jibey.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

never give up...and yes, it seems peace can only come through some chaos...and then hopefully reason and understanding prevail...
Courage and patience will outwit the violence....and the more a country is buried, the more it will want to regrow itself.
Powerful write, Fairy,
j.

[Fairy Khan]

I completely share your view. Thanks a lot for reading and reviewing.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

your work is a comfort to me.
thank you for what you write,
j.

[Fairy Khan]

That is a huge compliment for me. Always my pleasure, dear friend.

[Chris Shaw]

When I read this poem the thought that instantly came to mind was, out of small acorns grow large oaks. The fact that you have Beginning in the title confirmed that to me. Everything has to have a starting point. Fifth stanza particularly powerful. Well penned Fairy.

Chris

[Fairy Khan]

Thank you, Chris.