Dead I Am, Born Dead. Poem by sujata kumar

Hang him, hang him!
Why do you hang me?
Coz I'm hungry?
Coz I ask for food?
What's my crime?
The bread I stole?
Was it my sin?
So, you hang me?

Rats bite my intestine
And curse me to chime.

Hang him hang him!
Why do you hang me?
Coz I ask for work?
Work that will pay
And fetch me penny?
Food do I get any?


Hang him hang him!
Why do you hang me?
Coz I seek peace?
Peace neither you have nor me.
Peace we all beseech...
Hunger knows no peace
Dreams I don't cherish
Of sleep I'm deprived.

Hang him hang him?
Why do you hang me?
Coz I don't understand what you say?
Your words, empty words
Reiterated umpteen times
Slimy and slippery promises.
Cursed or befooled am I?


Hang him hang him!
Hang me for this life?
Coz I am born doomed?
Coz I live in poverty
Stripped off all hopes?

Hang him hang him!
Hang him onto death!
Hail the monster!
Hope... I do not have any.
Clutched by death was I born,
Claws digging deep into as thorns.
Sans food, sans peace...
Dead I am, born dead! !