Poem
No Merry Christmas for Christians of Manipur!
Opinion | Poem | Anthony Dias | 20-Dec-2023
In the scenic hill-state of Manipur, all seems deceptively quiet
As among the silent, yet restless people, there is a sense of disquiet
The scent of blood and of bodies burnt, still emanates from the soil
No visible signs yet to indicate the end of this harrowing turmoil
The multiple wounds inflicted on the mind and body
Are still seen, festering, and they refuse to heal
Even as the people cling to any hope, remotely flickering
And for the life-line continue to earnestly appeal
With loved ones, including children, maimed or raped and killed
Bodies unclaimed in the hospital morgues tell a horrific story
Of the scale and ferocity of the massacre, too grim and gory
And to imagine that even a decent funeral Is rendered risky!
Thousands still languish in crowded, suffocating camps
In conditions sub-human, staring at a future dark and bleak
Months after the carnage, elusive peace people seek
Hoping to spot the Messiah in the people they meet
As eruptions of fresh violence vitiate the already toxic air
For aid workers and medical persons, it is a nightmare
And when peace-makers are branded trouble-makers
All know that the Spirit of Christmas cannot be near
As the chance for peace dims and becomes a chimera
The people continue to yearn for the Prince of Peace to appear
This Christmas, the people will only pray, with ever greater fervor
Will shun merry-making and contribute to the peace endeavor
Come all ye faithful, hearken to the voices of these people
Let your belief, courage and hope in the harbinger of peace
See your efforts redouble for the simmering tensions to ease
Your solidarity with the suffering is their most precious gift
This Christmas, let cynicism give way to lasting hope and liberation
Let love and compassion defeat doubt, suspicion and machination
With your support and dedication this Mission is possible
With collective effort and goodwill Another World is not impossible
Visitor comments
Peter Winson
26-Dec-2023
So beautifully written. Our hearts fly out to all the suffering people
Peter Winson
26-Dec-2023
So beautifully written. Our hearts fly out to all the suffering people
Malcolm Nazareth
23-Dec-2023
Anthony Dias' poem describes as well as calls for Christians and people of interfaith sensibilities to notice the un-merriness of this Christmas for the people of Manipur. These are similarly dark days for the Palestinians of Gaza and the West Bank. The unHoliday atmosphere for these displaced, disempowered peoples resonates and rhymes for the Uyghyurs as they do for the Rohingyas and the Tibetan. The massacred and incurably maimed children in these and many other similar situations remind me of the massacred kids in the reign of Herod during the first Christmas. The angels sang. But Mary and Joseph fled with their newborn baby as they too were "displaced" and fled for their lives to Egypt like the bombed and displaced Gazans are desperately trying to flee to the Sinai Peninsula and Egypt. May all Herods tremble for the world is about to turn. Proud, cruel, ambitious tyrants are soon to be held accountable and toppled. May there be peace on earth.
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Renzo Biswa
31-Dec-2023
Dear Sir, I extend my heartfelt applause to the poet for artfully conveying the silent suffering in Manipur with such poignant clarity. The vivid depiction of enduring scars and the haunting imagery of blood and burnt bodies evoke a deep emotional response. The seamless comparison with global conflicts adds a universal dimension, highlighting our shared human experience and collective yearning for peace. Specific details, like the challenges faced by aid workers, contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the complexities in humanitarian efforts. As we approach the Christmas season, the poet's call for faith, courage, and hope resonates personally, urging us to reject cynicism for a collective mission toward a better world. This poem is truly commendable, touching hearts with its eloquence and emotional depth. Sincerely, Renzo Biswa