In
Hell
(Dedicated to a conscious
vegetarian world – Deepak Sarkar, www.kolki.com)
<Related Poems: Vegetarian
World Violence A Day of Non-Violence>
My first long
trip was from Calcutta to Dayton, USA!
Luggages were
full of books, goodwill as incense
A touch of Eastern
hospitality to would be teachers and friends!
What can be
better for idea and cultural exchange?
Teacher took
us out on the first week-end!
I was enjoying
the ride with new excitement
Watching
everything passing by in a new land distant
As we reached our
destination, a famous American restaurant!
It was full of
people noisy and vibrant!
I felt great
despite choking in second hand smoke filled den!
I asked for
water,
As half naked
server served peanuts and pitchers of beer;
Gave us the
menu for order, starting with appetizer!
I was hungry living
on potatoes, fruits, and dairy for days!
But found nothing
edible for vegetarian guests
Except fries, ice
cream, and cake!
Teacher started
laughing loud joking with accent!
What’s wrong
with your tongue? Have wings and steak?
I can
guarantee, you won’t go to Hell!
I was modest
and remained silent with smile in face!
But my mind
spoke, ‘Behold, you are already in Hell’!
Author: Deepak Sarkar,
There is no Heaven in the
sky! Earth was Heaven when
colonialists and their evangelists didn’t convert parts of it as Hell while
motivating the slaves work harder to reach a fictitious better place “Heaven =
Haven”! End of Monarchy and related colonialisms can re-establish lost Heaven
on Earth, a place without borders, class, divisions, and supremacist orders! Kolki