Edgy Times Poem by KATOCH P C K PREM

good to live in nervous times

where cocoons grow and spread darkness
engulf light and die and one does not know
in ambiguities of shrewd men.

for time teaches artof life to an indefinite rival,
an experience weird you look around
he appears nowhere
but surely inside he cries

death smiles, it jeers and you stand to defy.

and rebuff not possibilities of another life.

uniformed persons warn and move around
censure and still enfold an imminent caution
that affirms its will to stay on and fight awesome virus

if wandering sans purpose in the air
brazen out the creepy-crawly and kill.

ask what scares people, who fear and smell the unseen
crane out necks as strange syndrome hangs on

to hum a funereal hymn to celebrate death
of iniquitous microbe spreading terror.

sounds of windowpanes cracking somewhere
or deafening clapping terraces and clanging ladles
tell guardians to move on and serve.

It is obligation undefined and word unvoiced.

mild smiles speak to pale faces and stir hopes.

and he walks out
as white bless future
unseen hands up to summon and plead.

I sit with a deep sigh and dispatch a signal
to the Yama of death not to frighten a fragile heart.

glass plate she clutches and bangs as hand quiver
in uncertainty.

and somewhere words ram-naam sat hai
echo and tell death is truth.

coffins hustle convey unity
in space and hope and keep spirit
of togetherness whole
as call of roots distresses and puts noose

of hunger and fatigue
they die on way to soil of birth a tragedy in courage.

to inspire anticipation sounds beam in masks
filter infection and you breathe in life and thank gently.

the light air stream fills gap distinctas bed at last
that is just grunge at this time

pandemic says hello and caves in and twittering allures
as victory waves …even as sunny flags go up.

****