February 14th

(Song: Luka Chuppi- A.R Rahman, Lata Mangeshkar)

Valentines day. 

Alarms going off.

I see red, the color of love.

Gifting of bouquets and blooming roses.

The trickle of blood from a bunker, staining the ground crimson.

I see red, the color of love.

Rooms aglow with the soft, romantic light from candles.

Eerie silences interrupted by the crackling of raging flames.

I see red, the color of love.

Women wearing fancy dresses and scarlet lipstick.

Women dressed in white the parting in their hair still stained vermillion

I see red, the color of love.

Men, rejoicing with their families and giving gifts

Men, boiling with anger for the brothers they’ve lost.

I see red, the color of blood.

And at last

I see black.

~dhri

(Written fueled by fury of the Pulwama Attacks. May all the brave souls find peace, and may our nation, our maatrabhoomi, forever honor their sacrifice.)