Here's something you might be interested in.
They burned another accused witch today—alive at the stake in Nepal
--somehow under the false assumption that we will not all stand appalled
against their presumed authority to do so as if they saw us still
as suffering surfs suppressed by feudal law,
*
as if the dawn of enlightenment had been but a dream
and human evolution nothing but wishful thinking.
An old rage flamed in me against her family and friends
who murdered her in the public square led by Bagaudan Shaman.
*
Dragged from the barn that she had been cleaning,
beaten with sticks and with stones, Dhegani Mahato
was drenched in kerosene and ignited by those
entrusted with her protection.
*
Not a soul had come to her rescue but her terrified nine year old daughter
who was restrained by the neighbors transfixed by the sight
of the mother reaching out to the girl through the fire,
and by her brothers fueling the flames with stacks of straw.
*
I prayed for the strength to temper my fury as I swallowed the bile
knowing there will be others similarly sacrificed to cowardice
whose orphans, too, will receive compensation
duly in government issued rupees.
They burned another accused witch today—alive at the stake in Nepal
--somehow under the false assumption that we will not all stand appalled
against their presumed authority to do so as if they saw us still
as suffering surfs suppressed by feudal law,
*
as if the dawn of enlightenment had been but a dream
and human evolution nothing but wishful thinking.
An old rage flamed in me against her family and friends
who murdered her in the public square led by Bagaudan Shaman.
*
Dragged from the barn that she had been cleaning,
beaten with sticks and with stones, Dhegani Mahato
was drenched in kerosene and ignited by those
entrusted with her protection.
*
Not a soul had come to her rescue but her terrified nine year old daughter
who was restrained by the neighbors transfixed by the sight
of the mother reaching out to the girl through the fire,
and by her brothers fueling the flames with stacks of straw.
*
I prayed for the strength to temper my fury as I swallowed the bile
knowing there will be others similarly sacrificed to cowardice
whose orphans, too, will receive compensation
duly in government issued rupees.