Tremors rock the earth, wave after wave
Rupturing and displacing underground plates
The ground wobbles, buildings crumble
Heart pounds, body trembles
Devastation abounds, rubble surrounds
Am I dead or alive?
Am I in a gorge or grave?
Grim darkness all around
My torso wriggling in acute pain
My limbs refusing to budge
I grow exasperate under arduous strain
My memory fails, body rails
What’s that weight, I feel on my chest?
Am I pushed down into hell?
Or buried under Earth’s rocky crust?
Am I dead or alive?
Am I in a gorge or grave?
Have I fallen into a deceitful trap?
Or caught unawares in a hunter’s snare?
Am I sinking into an abyss?
Shall I ever be freed from this mire?
I know my senses wilt and wither
Oh! How I grow weak n’ weary!
I lie smitten, hurt n’ bleeding
My eyes are going boggy n’ bleary
Am I dead or alive?
Am I in a gorge or grave?
What’s that I hear like a rapping?
Lub – dub, lub – dub
Lub – dub, lub –dub
Oh! Is it not the upbeat of my heart?
The unfailing rhythm, beckoning me to life
The only tune I listened in my mother’s womb
The ever resonant song of my life!
The voice that warrants-
“I am not dead,
I am still alive”! !
So many killed in this natural disaster, Nepal now awaiting assistance. I thank my lucky stars for the safe country I reside. You have presented this so well. Thank You
A poem of great depth and pain Valsa-ji. You conjecture the situation of an earthquake victim brilliantly and conclude it in the hopeful rhythm of life. May the lub-dub continue for ever without cease. Prayers. (10)
When earth tremors and ground wobbles many beautiful edifices and human torsos are mingled with dust and are buried under earth. Earthquake is a natural calamity and a painful sight that you have composed aptly with excellent phraseology. Word play like wobble, crumble, tremble, pounds, abounds and gorge or grave etc are very attractive and heart touchy. I like this poem very much and want to evaluate 10 out of 10. Many thanks dear madam, may God bless you and your family.
Terrible terrible event Valsa....... So many emotions - so much tragedy......
This is absolutely brilliant, Valsa. At times the difference between expiring and thriving can be reduced to a few single words, or to an act of will. In fact, I suspect the metaphorical rubble can be destructive as well. Perhaps it is the abstraction, the metaphysical rubble, that can indeed do the most harm. A wonderful poem.
Well written poem. Much imagination there. Thanks for sharing 10
It's a wonderful piece of poetry! Scintillating expression! I always find a different taste in your poetry! My great pleasure reading your scholarly poems!
“I grow exasperate under arduous strain” …….i’ll bet ‘you’ DID get exasperateD! :) “I know my senses wilt and wither Oh! How I grow weak n’ weary! I lie smitten, hurt n’ bleeding My eyes are going boggy n’ bleary Am I dead or alive? Am I in a gorge or grave? “ …………I like the alliterations all around. So, it was a bad day? bri :)
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Tremors rock the earth, wave after wave Rupturing and displacing underground plates You related the external tremors with the internal feelings. Heart is with all those who face such a colossal tragedy. Whole history seems to be in danger of being erased. A timely poem. Thank you.