Columnists
1984 & I:
It's June Again ...
A Poem by GURMEET KAUR
The following poem, first published in June 2009, is re-produced here as part of our month-long commemoration of the 27th anniversary of 1984.
ORIGINAL INTRO: This year, 2009, marks the 25th Anniversary of 1984, when horrendous crimes were committed against the Sikhs in the very land of their origin. To commemorate this sad milestone, we at sikhchic.com have asked our regular columnists, as well as our contributors and readers, to share with us the impact 1984 has had on their lives. We have also sought out personal stories and anecdotes, in an attempt to capture the inner thoughts and deepest ruminations of those touched in any way by the events of that fateful year, on what 1984 means to each one of them and their loved ones - without going into a litany of facts and figures or a listing of the injustices to date, all of which will invariably be covered with due diligence elsewhere. We intend to present these personal perspectives to you throughout the twelve months of 2009. The following is the 27th in the series entitled "1984 & I".
IT'S JUNE AGAIN ...
Heart hurts, eyes dampen
Bright sun does not help the gloom
It's June again ...
Hands tied, brains blown out
Legs tremble at the walking trail
It's June again ...
Poisonous gas suffocates
Morning air, lungs refuse to inhale
Its June again ...
Tanks roar, machine guns blast
Chirping birds deafen
It's June again ...
Throat parches, stomach growls
Water is red, fruits stench
It's June again ...
Child terrorists? Girl militants?
Old Bibi and Baba separatists?
Kill the saints, butcher the innocents
It's June again ...
First published on June 4, 2009. Republished on June 3, 2011
Conversation about this article
1: Amarjit Singh Duggal (Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A.), June 04, 2009, 9:13 PM.
These sentiments will never go away, at least for this generation. We truly appreciate openness in expressing these painful emotions. May be this is the only solution to the pain: speak out and express. Yes, we have been put through pure torture and pain. No one spared, no even an NGO came to our rescue. Remember, all successful societies have suffered, all great civilizations excelled only after such extreme trials and tribulations. Consider this energy (resulting from pain) a blessing, and put it to use to accomplish worth-while projects: and bring about a transformation in the community. One project at a time, is the mantra!
2: Mlle. S. (Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A.), June 08, 2009, 1:23 PM.
As always, your poetry moves me. Your words help those of us on the outside to understand. Thank you.
3: Sukhwinder Singh (Vismaad) (Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, Punjab), June 01, 2011, 12:14 PM.
Only a soul who lives with the pain every day can tell the June 84 story in so few words. Waheguru!! This poem inflicts an intense twinge, yet I want to read it again and again. Each word hits like those massive Indian army tanks pounding at Gurdwara Dukh Niwaran Sahib in Patiala, the firing of machine guns, rocket-launchers. The night sky is lit bright with fires. It's only few hours ago that I too was at the gurudwara. The parikarma was full of sangat on that fateful day in June 1984: what happened to them? Will we ever know how many escaped martyrdom at the hands of the government's killers? It's June again! This June will remain forever, forever, forever ...
4: Sarjit Kaur (U.S.A.), June 02, 2011, 9:26 PM.
How would gurbani want us to react? "naam jahaj hai ... jantar mantar tantar" ... 24/7.
5: Jarnail Singh (India), June 16, 2011, 6:36 AM.
Nice poem. The words are right from the heart and represent deep anguish of the Sikh quom. However, gurbani says: "sachcha sahib sach nyaon paapi nar haarda", "se kookar sookar gardhab pavein garabh jooni daye maare maha hatyaare." They will have to pay for their sins. One shoe is attached on their face, don't know how many are waiting for them in hell. "oh jaane jetian moonh khaaye".