Books

Poetry | Amidst War and Hostilities

A poem by Shantashree Mohanty

image of women in truck
Photo: Yasir Iqbal
info_icon

What do we do

when the world cracks open,

when hate and violence

transmute our skies into storms?

We fall back on flowers바카라”

arranging them in vases, lining our window sills.

We read books, sheltering our minds

in nurturing corners of truth.

We water our plants,

hold our children and pets closer to our hearts,

as if love could fortify our dreams.

We sit quietly with those trembling in panic,

reorganize our shelves,

learn new languages바카라”

because understanding can unspool the knots of fear.

We braid each other바카라™s hair,

tell stories in soft whispers,

embrace a little longer.

When existence is flickering like a candle in the wind,

tenderness must be practiced with urgency.

So, we pat backs.

We wipe tears.

We join the prayers of others바카라”

not because we are certain,

but because we are together.

We clean our bedsheets,

draw our curtains wide,

we conserve water,

plant some more trees,

we tell each other how much love we still hold,

despite broken broadcasts

and endless scrolls of despair.

We pacify.

We laugh.

We persevere.

We persist.

What do we do amidst war?

We tend to the small, fragile things바카라”

as if mending the seams of a wall unraveling.

×