An Infidel Stroke (In Memories Of M.F.Hussain) Poem by Mohammad Tabish

Autumn chill brittl’d the leaves
taking away their pious green.
Leaving the tree naked, holding unsaid pain.

His physique frail, trembling in the autumn gale.
On the screen I see him speak, live
from a house, blessed away from the home.

His voice brisk, the statement stone;
“I won’t come back”
The child’s heart annoyed.

In an exile now the painter dies,
colors bleeding bemoan;
holding shikwa inside.

His only crime, an infidel stroke,
leaving some god in shame.
The pious revolt from every side.