Why Man ?

Why man ,

You fear to see the truth ?

To know the reality

Why fears your minds ?

To uncover the pains

Of a heart ,

Pricked so mercilessly ,

Why , now , you don’t dare ?

Why not question

That nasty mind ,

Which you want

To keep masked , always ?

Why you fear

To taste the fruits of labour done ?

Does its bitterness

Frighten you ?

Why man ,

You run away ,

After spitting on my face ?

Yeah ! you can run ,

And so shall I ,

With my hands

Hiding my dirt-clad face ;

And , till you don’t clean my face ,

I shall never show it again .

       Amrita Sarkar .

Written on – 06/09/2002 ,

Published on – 06/10/2002 ,

The Sentinel .