DANCE OF DEATH

Have you seen rings of smoke

dying languorously in the air

in a swirling maze

like the dance of death

melting into oblivion?

Is it another vision of 'life'?

Have you looked in the eyes

Of a man holding 

the remains of his infant

crushed to a pulp,

or those of a woman

bereft of her dignity

under the weight of

savage desires?

Yet they find no justice,

no sorrow 

for such unceremonious

dismissal of life!

Looking back

I see a different me

with eyes shining with hope

and the vanity of youth

to change the world

that could last forever!

Echoes of whispers

and slogans

rang in my ears.

The touch of warmth

from encircling arms

and the taste of freedom

sipped lazily

in euphoric frenzy

comforted me.

The feeling no longer lingers

and I recollect that

Eons back they were buried

amidst tremors and tears.

When I look in the mirror

I see nothing today!

Nothing of the flashing hopes

or undying vows.

All wiped out clean

Leaving a hollow shell,

a shadow that

I call ‘me’.

Just a survivor!

My hands are empty now,

my eyes, colourless.

I hear no laughter;

I see no smile--

only the call of temptation

lurking in corners

drowning the human soul

with vicious attempts !

And now

There’s nothing but waiting

for the real game of life

to end and

melt into oblivion

just like the dance of death

somewhere, someday, 

in midair.

****************

Dola Dutta Roy, Calcutta, May 22, 2010