Three Poems By Kamal Dev Pall

You Think Wrongly

This is what you think: That poets Cannot be sold to rulers Cannot be communal fascists Don't have political importance

This is what you think: That guns Will fire salutes on your sister's wedding Are not terrorists present in security forces? Give you opportunities to express your opinion

This is what you think: That religion Is impartial to those who are discriminated Is less injurious than intoxicants Is more important than cattle food 

This is what you think: That political power Will provide with you a lactating buffalo Is an organization that recruits meter readers Is a pump to inflate a bureaucrat's belly

This is what you think: That the Mandal Commission report Is a lizard stuck in the throat of the political snake Is the common people's attack on the privileges of the rulers Is a vigorously moving worm on the chest of elite class

This is what you think: That Gandhi Is such an actor who has not played the role of a scoundrel Is never political when it comes to Dalit rights Understands the scientific and nutritional facts of goat's milk 

This is what you think: That Hitler Has entered into Saddam Hussien Won't be seen in the shell of Indian democracy Will desert the obsession of personal property and become a shepherd

This is what you think: That horse cart processions Don't rape the brains of the Dravidian people Don't abort coordination and harmony Is not secret tool to use your vote, You think this way; 

Whoever thinks this way Thinks wrongly.

Dialogue 

A lowly caste And expecting land ownership?

We have done it on farms In sugarcane fields In sorghum fields.

Alright, alright Your kids play in our courtyards

So, what?

We will do DNA tests

For what?

To divide sugarcane, sorghum, and farmland

Oh no This land is our mother Why don't you divide walls?

Farms, what happened now? A lowly caste and expecting land ownership?

III-Fated

Oye, bring four glasses Better still, some chips and onions

Yes, sir, here I come

Take some drinks You also take one You must be tired Yes, sir.

Go bring some chicken It should have been cooked

Yes, sir

Hey, four people and five bowls?

Sir, I will eat too.

Eat afterwards, Won't you get leftovers after serving us drinks? 

Hmm Let me tell you about leftovers I'll bring a bigger bowl And I will mix five bowls in it Let's eat in one bowl, all of us together.

Why?

Do I need to explain?

I work, I eat Not your father who doesn't do anything

Kamal Dev Pall has published two books of poetry and one book of Ghazals. His poems have been published in numerous magazines and newspapers. He currently resides in the United States of America. Rajinder Azad is working towards translating Punjabi dalit literature to English. Through radio and television, he brought awareness about caste discrimination in India and Australia. He currently resides in California.