Mine Kashmir Poem by Tribhawan Kaul

Kashmir which is mine
was a picture of paradise
Kashmir which is mine!

Its face
peaceful and serene,
its lips
smiling,
eyes
waiting and ready to welcome tourists.
waiting to hug
Nishat & Shalimar gardens
Feather rowing shikars # on Nagin & Dal lake
mangroves of chinar trees
gardens of almonds, apples and saffaron
howling hawkers
“Hako-hak, yekho-yekh”*
and those moments of pleasure soothing our eyes like
stringing of santoor
floating farms
standing houseboats
rowing of boats on flowing jehlem
snow clad mountains
heavenly greenery
with Charar-e-sharif and Khane-kaa**
we used to admire that Kashmir
that was the crown
India’s crown
it is there yet
but
sometimes it is felt that it is,
now it is not there?
where has it all gone?
mine Kashmir...mine Kashmir!

What has been left of the lifeless valley?
A lifeless body.

Whose brain, heart and kidneys
have undergone transplant
with precision
by an unknown surgeon.
leaving
bloody & scarred face
bruised lips and bashed body
blank eyes
amputed hands.

Kashmir
like a man in coma
wakes up and then sleeps
Or just watches blankly lying on operation table
‘desertion of the truth’
‘ desertion of the essence of kashmiriat’***
Ah! mine Kashmir
some one give me back
mine Kashmir.