WHY?

This poem was written over three decades ago, this poem is still sadly reflective of the times we live in.

Vultures stands sentinel over Gaza’s walls,
The screams of the wounded drown the muezzin’s call.
Death rides the steed of partition in Israel,
While shattered lies the peace in the land of the veil.
Why do loyalties shift like the desert sands?
Why does brother kill brother in the promised land?

Warships sail across the Seven seas,
The hills of Afghanistan know no peace.
Tyranny and riots tear-up Pakistan,
While terrorism and communalism plague Hindustan.
Why does the morning air echo with machine gun fire?
Why is the land at night lit by dead men’s pyres?

All through Europe flows a river of hate,
Of race riots,terror cells and killer brigades.
While the Dragon, Bear and Uncle Sam,
Are all too busy playing global policeman.
Why is our world shrouded by clouds of war and strife?
Why is there no respect for precious human life?

As missiles, bombs and artillery fire,
Pound our world to little pieces,
From pole to pole on land or sea,
The fighting never ceases.
Why does evil and greed guide the human mind?
Why can’t mankind ‘see’ how it makes us ‘blind’???

Dr. Ravin Chengappa, From the compilation of his poems titled ‘Leaves Of The Poet Tree’