The night never was ours
It was by them, for them, of them
Not made soft for the rest of a tired body
Not made fragrant for the ease of sleep
Lullabies didn’t play for the
Happiness of the soul
The velvet wasn’t spread to absorb
The sweat that smelled of duty
The lights weren’t dimmed
Because eyelids were heavy
With too much exhaustion
The window wasn’t opened for the
Soothing night wind to caress her face…
How many nights
Should we walk the streets
Before we can see the day?
How many times
Should we shout and cry
Before you can hear us say?
How many times
Should we wrestle with death
Before you know we want to live?
Yes and how many times
Should we swear our oaths
Before you will finally believe?
How many times
Should we close our fists
Before you know we’re strong?
How many times
Should we be reborn
Before you know it’s too long?
The answer my friend
Is being written right here
There’s no stopping, there’s no fear
The night is ours, now and forever…
Soumyanetra Munshi, Associate Professor, Economic Research Unit, Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata
