After Everything Is Over

by Padmini Krishnan

He sneaked over to the enemy’s camp

on a stealthy, misty night.

He was caught and dismembered

as he cried out his country’s name.

He was sent back, along

with his burnt flag.

His countrymen assuaged their burning hearts

by flushing the enemy’s holy book.

Their countries combated till all their weapons

were exhausted, then they went nuclear,

turning more barbaric than barbarians,

scaring animals with their blood-thirsty eyes,

till they forgot to differentiate

between their men and their enemies.

Now everything is over and a few of them

roam amongst humans,

their cruelties stashed in the corner

of their hearts,

until providence

decides to bring their atrocities to the surface.

Had we been of the same race,

religion and nationality, we still

would have found a reason to hate,

raked up imaginary differences

and recruited soldiers to guard the

ego and insecurities of our hearts.

* * * * *

Padmini Krishnan writes haiku, haibun, free verse, children's stories and short stories. Her works have appeared in Proletaria, Breadcrumbs, Terror House Magazine, Plum Tree Tavern and Balloon Literary Journal among others. Her forthcoming poetry will appear in Stonecrop Review.