Basanta Kar

FAITH FIRST

Faith first, life first
I affirm the faith
divinely dispose to posses
peace over conflict;
the life time achievement.

Smoke and cloud work in tandem
swings of snow peep
hills draw lines, mesmerize
they butcher;
my earth's paradise marred with hate crime.

Nerves shiver
I flee, hide
leaves in the branches a haven for days
kith and kin burnt alive
troops bury stale carcass
flames of fire within-outside
my daughter asks for a bread
fury reminiscent hang around
I return as a refugee,
reconstruct from burnt ashes

(This is the story of a 20 year old scheduled baste woman residing in a conflict hit relief camp in India.)

Basanta Kar is the Operations Director of Care India in New Delhi. His latest book of poetry, The Unfold Pinnacle focuses on disability in a larger context. The poems are based upon the lives of poor women in rural India, many from villages whose people are facing extinction. "Faith First" is from this collection.