After An Earthquake Poem by Sumit Ganguly

Soft night wrapped us deeply in her fold
whole area changed to a garden of dreams.
Tremor began like a snake's movement
darkness melt, our hearts leapt to throat,
we rushed for shelter under the starry canopy,
but hasty movements and trembling feet
led us nowhere.
Floor and ceiling crushed.

Pain, wailing and darkness churn in air
some trees give in, house crash, electric flashes are blinding,
in deafening sound and darkness faces are blurred,
footsteps rushing around make us more hopeless.
Pain and bleeding make me black
I am out of all the senses.

I wake up in a hospital bed,
unknown attendants, machines and medicines surround me.
I can't move my head but feel victims lie nearby.
My feelings are self centered,
‘are they' safe, are ‘they here? '
Fates of near and dear ones are not known,
if time heals me, it will bring worries or joy,
but now I'm dangling in a midway.


13 Sep 2016