Poetry

Death News 

Death news often comes 
from my village. 
And I, sitting here far away, 
add those names 
to the list of the dead. 
But those faces, last seen 
walking, playing, and smiling,
keep doing so.
DEFIANTLY. 

Home

Mother, come and tell me-
if I should return home. 
Father has left with another woman
and the sister who looked after us 
also died last year. 

Brothers have divided. 
The kitchen where you cooked 
has been demolished 
to make room for the eldest brother. 
Second brother has taken the yard 
where you planted a guava tree.
Trees are now named 
that were once ours. 
Your almirah is removed 
and I don't know 
what happened to your cat. 

Mother, come and tell me-
if I should return home. 
I've met a beautiful girl 
at a local store here.

Zahid Akter is Assistant Professor, Department of English, East-West University.