Two Poems by Bimal Guha

Ravens 

Why have the ravens 
gathered over my head?
The ominous day stretches its shadow 
in the corner of my room, 
the shrill cries of the ravens 
sound all morning, 
please tell me how can I
drive the ravens away?

A dull sun breaks through 
The chinks of the clouds.
Suddenly a summer storm breaks out 
scattering the rays of the sun,
and the ominous day 
stretches its shadow 
in the corner of my room.
Please tell me how can I 
drive the ravens away?

A war-horse prances within my breast,
I stumble, struck by his sharp hooves. 
And as I look up at the sky 
I see soldiers of the dark clouds 
march in pairs.
Please tell me how can I
drive the ravens away?

At this untimely hour 
there is a procession of ravens 
on my roof-top.
I hear inside my head 
the shrill cries of the ravens.
Isn't there any friend
who can come and stand by me 
at this hour?
Isn't there anyone
who can stretch his hands 
and take me into his arms 
as a dear friend of his?
Please tell me how can I 
drive the ravens away?

Against War

War is a sky shattering fierce roar 
of clouds, quick footsteps 
full of tearful wails, 
a terrible terrible thing!
    We have taken our stand 
against all wars.

War is a cleaver ruse 
of antagonistic states,
fiery words full of fierce anger, 
a follow-up of revenge, 
loud cries. War is a 
terrible terrible thing!
    We have taken our stand 
against all wars.  

War is arrogant display of muscle 
with no principle. 
It often begins with a false show 
of friendship. It is full of 
bombs cocktails atomic explosions 
smoke bullets from machineguns 
destruction of all human values 
burning down the home 
of one's neighbour. 
War is a terrible terrible thing!
    We have taken our stand  
against all wars.