I Have Seen Only Red

Dr. O. P. Arora

The hospital, the day I was born, bombed and blasted
my Mum, me in her arms, dashed on the road
guns and tanks, in welcome, roared…
The school, my first day of learning, bombed and blasted
I ran tattered, my books scattered…
When I asked for a toy
They gave me a gun for joy…
Shooting, my pleasure
Killing, my hobby…
The more I killed
the bigger the medal
the brighter the future
my fun lay in the trigger…
Me, just twenty, bland
and I have killed a thousand
killing, my credo, killing, my creed
my proof of being a man of deed…
I grew up among ruins for a mile
only harshness, never a smile…
The earth red, sky red
deprived of all other colours
I have seen only red…

Funny! I have not known
a single day of peace
And you talk to me
of humanity and world peace…

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Dr. O. P. Arora, a well-known poet, novelist and short story writer, holds a distinctive place among contemporary Indian writers in English.  He has an excellent academic record and holds a Doctorate in English Literature from Panjab University, Chandigarh. He has taught in Delhi University for nearly four decades.