and there is hatred
in them
which they spew
on others like venom
these serpents
will kill you
because of
your religion
for the language
you speak
or your caste
or race
and class
and you might
find yourself
being battered
by someone
you think
is your own brother
your own sister
and you will feel
such sadness
at this evil
you will weep
your sobs shaking
your broken body
being beaten
till you die.
to be inside
the space of silence
and not hear anything
and not know anything
even your own presence
this is absence
this is the meaning
of freedom
this is the greatest gift
of being alive
this has no form
no colour
no nationality
no religion
no caste
no social class
no gender
no sexuality
it is free
and its power
is as long
as the universe lasts
nothing stands
in its way
it stands alone
its emptiness
its might
its deep capacity
to delight
in such a quiet way
its strength is oblivion
and if you believe in this
then you will not fear dying
because you know
how great it feels
not to be there
now that you’ve
got a taste of it
and how its peace
goes far across the limits
of this world
you know that
in your death
in a way
it remains your breath
beyond this life
and this makes you rejoice
you carry the torch
of existence and run
shouting to everyone
come join in the fun.
Dominic Alapat 