A protest poem about the personal-political tussle raging within by Dr Molly – exclusively for Different Truths.

it goes on
        the tussle
within...

        your words,
aren't they
        the weapons
to fight out
       what you deem
injustice...

the ruthless
          taken for grantedness
of the common,
         the very ordinary
who silently
          bear the brunt
of the
         self-seeking
                  politique
and policies
          insane...

polluting
        the environ
air, water
        rash construction
all around,
       be it roads, buildings,
bridges,
        the health of
the average
        their basic rights
trodden upon...

          it goes, it goes,
gross misuse
           of public money
for vested
          interests
evacuating
           appropriating
suffocating
            endangering
public health
             with hazards
galore.

shh... mum…

             they say
why stir
             the dust
ruffle feathers!

           dust has a
way to
           settle down
in its own
           time...
hah!
            evasive strategy
of wisdom
            practical...

but how long
            you stifle
your inner
            voice
how can
            you help
but be on
           your own...

fleeing to
            cosy shores
taking readers
            along 
talk of   
            beauty
love, ease
           and peace...

there awaits 
            the lure
of the rose
           the whisper
of wanton
            wind
offering solace...   

            O, poet!
but how can
           you ignore
reality
           at razor's edge?

the tussle
            goes on
within...

           isn’t the
personal
          political?

Picture design by Anumita Roy

Dr. Molly Joseph

Dr Molly Joseph, a bilingual professor and poet from Kerala, has published 26 books, including 18 poems, two novels, and two storybooks for children. She has edited "A Handbook of Contemporary Ethics" and works for values, global peace, and togetherness. Dr Joseph has won national and international accolades and represents India at SAARC and FOSWAL literature meets. She believes in the power of the word and writes boldly on contemporary matters.

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