Does the Songbird Still Sing?

“The Gujarati poet Parul Khakhar was reprimanded for her poem referencing Covid 19 and bodies in the Ganges – ‘Shavvahini Ganga’ (Ganges the Carrier of Corpses) – read this article “Flogged, imprisoned, murdered: today, being a poet is a dangerous job’ by Tishani Doshi for more detail. Her subsequent poem is entitled “You Are Not To Speak” a witty riposte in my view.”

Paul, guest host at d’Verse today, asked us to remember the poets who have and are now persecuted and caged away for their views and words. Words of political nature carry weight and have influence. Those who speak and write them are often censored by the authorities who are supposed to be working for justice and human rights. My poem today is a reflection of my thoughts after reading the article mentioned above.

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Does the songbird still sing behind walls of stone

While with windows caged, they are left all alone

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Hidden away by forces dark and sinister

Does the songbird’s words still ring along the banister

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The songbird’s voice melodic and sweet

Cuts through to the heart of Power’s seat

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For some, they hear a nightingale singing

While dark hearts hear only raucous ringing

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The songbird does sing behind walls of stone

For a mind that’s free is never alone

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And though no one hears her caged voice singing

The words she writes will go on ringing

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From every stone steeple and podium high

Those words will resound, they will not die

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Photo of the Fortress at Koblentz: Dwight L. Roth

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