They Took It Away, Mama

By Abhilash Narayan

They smiled and watched it hit the ground

Its crown so majestic, now nowhere to be found

I used to play there; its canopy once filled with life

They took it away mama, I don’t know why

They threw in there all that they could

I stood and cried; my tears didn’t do what they should

I used to swim here; it’s water crystal clear

They took it away mama, I don’t know why

They said I was different and never really belonged

Religion they said, something man has far prolonged

She was my friend; now just a face amidst the crowd

They took her away mama, I don’t know why

I watched them throw sticks and stones

They hated each other and could never be one

I will be safe, you said; they’re angry, not monsters too

But they’ve come for me mama, I don’t know why

Pray, they said it would help my worries disappear

But careful, not to ones we don’t fear

I asked for it to stop; this pain I don’t understand

They hurt me mama, I don’t know why

Monday to Sunday, I counted them all

They hurt me again and smiled as they watched me fall

They took from me everything until there was nothing more

They still won’t let me go mama, I don’t know why

I have nowhere to play, nowhere to swim

They took away my friend, to their gods I hymn

I lay here, a lonely child; I did everything you said

They’ve still taken me away mama, I don’t know why

By Abhilash Narayan