THE LAND OF FIRE

A poem in Thamizh by Deebachelvan titled
THEEP-BOOMI [தீப்பூமி]
Translated into English by Latha Ramakrishnan

Rising against those horrible murders
swallowing fire-balls-
placing her very being at stake,
Senkodi danced in savage delirium.
When Power concealed everything
In order to burn the Power that had grown, blending with the
fire-proof Soil
She burnt her own self.
That day faraway too a woman
rising against killing and injustice
was consumed by fire along with the capital city.
Whenever the scepters gobble and swallow lives
She sets fire to save Mother Earth
and dance enraged.
The knives that slice, eyed one and all
The ropes that strangulate entwined everybody.
The mouths that swallow human race
stretched with every-burning hunger.
The emperors gave verdicts that extinguish life.
Casting aside kindness and mercy
they declared Death.
For the sake of boiling Land
Senkodi’s person burnt as fire-tree
and so she shook the branches.
The anklets exploded and scattered all over.
The drums thundered..
When she entered into Fire for the sake of Mother Earth
The Earth was set afire.
_______________________
*[To Senkodi]

*This poem is dedicated to the memory of Senkodi. But, this in no way glorifies suicide. STAY ON - STRIVE - SUCCEED