I Could Hear. Poem by Meena Somasundaram

I could hear the bird's song
the area being so quiet
I could see the flower's beauty
the garden being so lovely

I could read my book in tranquility
the city being so serene
I could sleep very peacefully
the night being so still.

I could live without fear
the nation being so peaceful
I could speak without any risk
the country being so democratic.

It is all I could all the way
while the land is serene
Now I hear the bombs explode
the world is torn by war.

I hear the gunshots in a row
terrorism is on the march
I hear people moan and mourn
battles ravage the land.

I hear time and again
the footsteps of the people
from country to country
with a hope to find a shelter.

I hear not any happy notes
I hear not the birds'tweets
I see neither the beautiful flowers
nor the eyes that emit happiness.