Then and Now

By Raina Bhatia

Bloodshed. Gore. Horror.

Screams echoing through the night.

Bloodhshed. Gore. Horror.

Tensions rising, voices vocalizing, fighters running into the night.

There shall be freedom,

And there shall be life.

But until then,

Blood. War. Oppression.

That’s all the nation knows.

They’ve walked onto our land.

Horses stampeding, flags high up in the air.

Oh! We’re losing our legacy.

They’ve walked onto our land.

Whips cracking through the air.

Bullets richocheting between buildings.

What’s that? Who’s that? What’s going on?

Where are our saviours? Our knights in shining armour?

It’s all over the news.

“ 7-year old girl brutally raped: parents unwilling to obey the law”

“Hundreds of peaceful protesters shot: an avoidable massacre”

But look at us now, just a small look.

Just a mere glance.

Flags in the air. Pride surging through our blood.

Screams of terror washed away,

By the blood of our saviours – our fallen angels.

Those screams, now replaced by

Screams of laughter and joy.

There’s colour and confetti.

Love and joy.

We look at the flag.

We can feel our roots, our origin.

Good lord! What times we’ve come through!

Chains broken. Thoughts unleashed.

Peaceful or violent.

The goal has been achieved.

By Raina Bhatia