Mother!
Why do you stand near that grave
And weep like that?
Why do you grieve so alone,
Sobbing uncontrollably?
The son you raised and who fought for you
Is no longer in that grave.
Instantly, he had shaken himself awake
Rose from the grave and taking up his weapon,
Returned to the battlefield
Mother! Wipe your eyes
And bless the struggle.
My translation of the Telugu poem 'ammaa!', from the collection of poetry 'Sivasagar Kavitvam', by K. G. Satyamurthy ('Sivasagar').
Written in July 1972 when the leader of the Naxalbari movement, Charu Mazumdar, was martyred in police custody.
Tags: Sivasagar