Above: Paramjit's son: Harpreet Singh Saini, addressing the US Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Hate Crimes. Below: Paramjit Kaur Saini, with her son.
Poetry
A Dream Deferred
A Poem by PARVINDER MEHTA
I saw the grieving young kid on TV
expressing sorrow he didn’t know before
nostalgic for that last maternal meal
chewed, swallowed with tears
that last bite of her tangible love.
Blue somberness, black grief
recalling a future denied
by festering hate that snatched
her arms for support,
her hands for comfort foods
her smiles for celebrations
her shoulder for solace.
Nervous, controlled emotions
carefully measured words
touching listeners who
choked and gulped their tears,
gasping for pure air
amidst polluting abhorrence.
Questioning the dream that he wanted
that she wanted, he asks for forceful words,
and compassion to combat hate.
Will we stand with him so he can
hope, seek and demand
a dream still deferred?
September 26, 2012
Conversation about this article
1: Chintan Singh (San Jose, California, U.S.A.), September 26, 2012, 11:19 AM.
Excellent poem!
2: Ramneet Kaur (Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A.), October 04, 2012, 11:40 AM.
The poem is heart-breaking. I can feel the anguish of this grieving child who has fallen prey to this hate crime.
3: Harpreet Singh (Delhi, India), October 05, 2012, 2:26 PM.
May Waheguru bless and give courage to all the family members of those killed in the massacre. May their sacrifice bring peace everywhere. "tu mera pita tu mera maata ..."