The Lotus & The Star

A Poem by Swagato Saha

'With promises made of a brave new world, thus the Endless Winter was subdued,
Though the homeless died and homes stood empty, though they killed more than cold ever could;
It was all dismissed with mere fake utterance, or best feigned waves of the hand,
While statues of unity veiled nameless graves; symbols they'd never understand.'

"It wasn't the return I've long desired, as we split ways for the last time,
Call it great fortuity we happened to meet at all, and shared our paradigms,
And though the latter I've dreaded for long, and I swear I saw the same in her eyes,
I could only respect who she was and what she said; it's clear it couldn't suffice."

'When the summer sky sang of empires that fell, triumph was but rendered sweeter;
It wasn't just how gloriously they defied fate, but those cross the hills could never.
Yet revelry is short-lived, as lines merge and split, endlessly resolved and redrawn,
The peace prior purchased dares now to be exposed, by conflicts that have since spawned.'

"Vanity perhaps is the woman's sin, yet why do I fear she's right?
Maimed my memories that must have her now, a peculiar insight!
And I know not when I lost track of where I was headed, abandoned by homely familiarity,
So I scampered, predated by multiplying mirrors, as they bared my virgin monstrosity."

"The glass towers shattered and sprinkled shards, to reveal more masquerading demons,
Midst drums that blared and subtle prayers, and less subtle saffron visions...
On the other end midst flickering flags, guard frail ranks of a starker colour,
Whence I heard her verses hitherto restrained, all brandished in wanton grandeur."

When discourse runs dry and all pages have been tired, who'll secure the failing ties?
As candles probe the night to bargain accords, while gales lurk unrealised;
So candlelit tranquil blinds us today, and in stormy darkness shall we see,
Through burning bridges where love's long lost, we're left a scarlet decree.