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.