Black beauties in chains-
Before the ticket counters,
A long queue does creep
To scatter near black wonders.
Ears and tails always move,
Ruminating rhythms of forest.
Elephants are inside the fort,
Exposed to the sky barest.
I hear the hushed emotions
In the clinking of chains.
Hearts are smouldering inside;
Eyes emit lava of pains.
Burning red wild flowers
And the tickling streams
Each elephant longs I know:
But chains kill the dreams.
(Anakotta at Punathur, Guruvayur, Kerala inspired me to write this verse)
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
It is tragic that such a proud and yet humble beast is chained. You express their pain very well. What can be done other than what you have tried to do here? I have travelled to Kerala in a past life, not as a tourist but a traveller, and I hope that these animals are not shackled for the tourists entertainment, if they are, the tourist should complain or boycott the place, imho. Smiling at you Tai