The Untouchable Poem by Sheena Blackhall

I am a visitor, a Mumbaikar
A humble devotee of Lord Ganesh
Fresh off the plane, the cabbie said to me
'You'll be another one from Bangladesh'.

The day the bombs exploded in Mumbai
Like paper, train and carriages were torn
Across the line. I saw my family die,
An empty sandal dropp from my first-born

As if untouchable, I lived...although
My sleep's disturbed. Now, peace is hard to find
My father paid this holiday you know:
'Travel' he said, 'will educate the mind'

Where else but Britain would I choose to go?
Cricket's my passion. English, my degree.
My cousin is an engineer in Slough
'Paki go home! ' two children yelled at me.

Last week, I took the tube to Hampstead Heath
My rucksack and my camera by my side
A woman passenger shook like a leaf
At me...the man who lived, when others died.

I am a visitor, a Mumbaikar
A humble devotee of Lord Ganesh
I am no threat, no militant, no shark,
I, too, have been a fish in terror's net.