POEM: Let My Country Awaken

Where brothers see themselves in others’ eyes –
Where children are precious gems -
Where women as sisters and daughters and wives
are savored fruit &
they sit at the table of authority, feasting
-
Where the culture releases yellow freedom
into springtime air like pollen -
Where all men have work -
& trust is the local currency -
Where faith in the broad softness of things
Replaces the decay of dogma
Encrusted with privilege -
Where every name has a history
and belongs to something
Or someone else –

Oh Mother – Let my country awaken!

(Based on a poem by Tagore)