By Sunayna Pal
Childhood interrupted
Aching legs
found no rest.
Blistering skin
found no shade.
Angry bellies
found little to eat.
Calloused hands
found no balm.
Abandoned toys
found new owners.
Questioning mouths
found no answers.
Marching on
Scarred soil oozed
and dry grass whistled.
Heat cracked in patterns
and lips trembled on.
Shadows rose and fell
but legs marched on.
Toys of silver
Armies of elephants,
horses,
camels,
lost their fight
for freedom
without a battle.
Abandoned,
tarnished,
broken,
found
in debris
by new hands.
Sunayna Pal was born and raised in Mumbai, India, and currently resides in Maryland with her family. She is a poet and author of “Refugees in Their Own Country” (B&W Fountain), which explores the Partition of India. Her poetry is widely published in international journals and anthologies. Sunayna is also the Director of “The Poetry Academy” and practices Heartfulness meditation. Visit sunaynapal.com for more information.
Hot Pot Magazine 