WISHES OF CHILDREN OF THE TENT-DWELLERS

A Poem by Deebachelvan in Tamil, titled
KOODAARA MAKKALADHU KUZHANDHAIGALIN VIRUPPAM
Translated into English by Latha Ramakrishnan

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I have told you
that these children always want to go out of the Tents.
So small and narrow-
this Tent is intent on throwing open
demonic tortures in the manner of jail.
Unable to walk anywhere, the roots of wild trees keep
pricking the faces hard
Friend, beware, talking about the Tent-dwellers
might prove Dangerous to you.
Stopping our speech, avoiding our demands _
So everything keeps taking place.

Even in this dust and mud, They
forever remain beautiful children.
We are unable to answer their questions.
All the tales that they share
revolve round the Tents of the Globe.
In the all too sharpness of Power
Their smiles and their playgrounds
have all been damaged beyond repair.
For people, like us, of the world
Tents are being made.

Friend, for the sake of these kids
we are not able to tell any tales-amusing; amazing.
They throw away dolls and other such toys.
Inside the Tent their World remains all too narrow.
‘Well within the thorny-fence
the children can very well wander anywhere,
play and return’ – So the Camp rules say.
Boys, a little older, feel the urge
to do anything whatsoever
for finding a way out of the Camp.

We have been here in the Tents
for quite too long a time.
Without refusing, permission is given
for allotting Tents made of mud
and also for these Tents for the Dying.
We have been asked to
give birth to babies inside this
and also to rear them here.
Looks like with all that The children speak
as they grow
The refugees all over the world would be in peril.
Our movement is arrested
Well within the boundaries of the Tents.

These Tents with windows and doors
_the growing children have all drawn
in their note-books.
The Tent-Dwellers keep piling up.
For our growing children also
Some Tents would be given next week
_ So they have said.
And, they keep unloading Tents
Of different hues and shades.

That our children and our selves are prepared
to step out of the Tents when permitted
Or remain inside for ever _
We have told the Media
voluntarily.

After having given Tents
all too hastily
they have been planted
permanently.
__________________________

(*27.10.2009. the Chief of the Committee of Asian Human Rights’ Commission,
Basil Fernando refers to the Vanni refugees as ‘Koodaara Makkal’(Tent-Wellers)