By G.N. Saibaba
I Refused To Die
When I refused to die
my chains were loosened
I came out
Into the vast meadows
Smiling at the leaves of grass
My smile caused intolerance in them
I was shackled again
Again, when I refused to die
tired of my life
my captors released me
I walked out
into the lush green valleys under the rising sun
smiling at the tossing blades of grass
Infuriated by my undying smile
They captured me again
I still stubbornly refuse to die
The sad thing is that
They don’t know how to make me die
Because I love so much
The sounds of growing grass
Patience
Have a little patience;
our courage alone keeps us alive
to a bright breaking dawn.
My love, my freedom,
raise the burning torch
in your hand a little higher.”
-Professor G N Saibaba wrote to his wife, Vasantha.
Why Do You Fear My Way So Much?
O Pundit,
O Mulla,
I’m not an atheist
for I don’t preach ungodliness
as my profession.
I’m not an agnostic
for I don’t carry a basketful
of doubts on my head.
I’m not your secularist
for I don’t stand
at the crossroads of all religions.
I’m not a rationalist
for I don’t use
the logic of pure reason.
I’m not a heretic
for my business isn’t
to chase after your orthodox ways
to worship and life.
Kabir says,
          He’s a messenger of love for people
          Why do you fear my way so much?
Excerpted from Why Do You Fear My Way So Much? – Poems and Letters from Prison by G.N. Saibaba, published by Speaking Tiger Books 2022.
Gokarakonda Naga Saibaba was a scholar, writer and human rights activist. He passed away earlier this month.
