Violation Ix Poem by ARUN D'CRUZE

THE LAST TRIBUTE OF SHANKAR


Among the crowd of villager
Shankar stood there shocked
of the sudden turn of the events
in disbelief and saddened
whole night he stuck to the window
prayed and willed to undo.
Queried what actually happened
from the nurse and attandant,
well-being or survival chance
of the unfortunate.
The theatre nurse, an acquaintance
broke the truth to him
and the chances are grim
she is destined to die, she assume.
Morning really silently death came.
above the pains, restrains
to peace, comforting terrrains
in lasting glow calmly heaven.
She wore pleasant feelings
beauty's extravagant dealings
leaving worldly things
love and emoting strings.
She was no more
cry of the baby, she ignore,
spread the news, like tremor.
The mother ran to her bedside
could not be consoled.
Her brothers and sisters
wailed and wailed, shed tears
The week's old baby did not know
what he lost, but his face glow
with smile, in sleeping ignorance.
The doctor adviced the relateds
to take discharge immediate
the bed to vacate
with proper death certificate
arrange body promptly cremate.


THE COMPROMISE

But Shankar grieved and angered
ran to his friend
a small time party cadre
his father was a local leader.
The truth he exposed.
The collection of cadres
became intruder
shouted slogans
justice they demand
postmortem, police enquiry command.
The doctor nervous, frustrated
called the dissidents
at the table, asked for reprimand
expressed sorrow and compromise
The leader and doctor decide
the husband to be paid
a compensation seventy five thousand
for his next marriage prospect,
also to be paid to the party
and the leader to clean the dirty.
business was done
party arranged for cremation.