That Fat Bully

That spoilt offspring, that fat bully

With swollen head and bulky hind

Shoving in the classroom

Bossing in the playground

The weak and defenseless lambs find

Standing up to her is doom

It’s foolish to utter a sound

It’s foolish to stand up to her

Her dad is the all-in-all boss

Power is his pocketed handmaid

Long deft fingers reach the treasury

Think not of profit or loss;

The plate of unearned money is before him laid

Who would call it thievery?                  

That fat bully that bulls around

The guides that mold children’s future

The learners that hold their books

The servants that bow their heads for belly’s sake

Whoever talks here of culture?

It is what pleases their haughty looks                            

Touch not, for hers is all cream and cake.

Will it be like this always, O Prophet?

No child, it can’t be, the Lord Yahweh lives

See the pages of human history

Cruel kings, emperors, dictators ruled the earth

Where are they gone; flawless justice He gives

When, where and how is a mystery

Before Him is laid all creations life, death and birth

By Xavier Bage

Thurs, Dec 17, 2015

That Diwali Night in November

BURRRR, BUZZZZ, BHOOM, BLAST

The new moon dark night sky

Resounds with varied noises of crackers

And sizzling sparks of multiple colors

In all directions fly.

The smoke of the burning gunpowder is

Choking the breaths of trees around

And the little insects of the grass homes

In mortal fear and shock

Crouch deeper underground

The dogs howl in their kennels

And the cats bundle in corners under beds

Frightened to silence by bullying bombs

A great war rages outside, as if,

Tearing the air and ears to shreds

The children scream with joy

And the teenagers the fun to capture

The years of life pass, they know,

As the sparkling fountain from the earthen pots

Hurl themselves to rupture.

In this din no one sees a little nine-year

Crouched under a tree

Her lungs are struggling and panting

Some fresh air with oxygen will

Help them breathe free

When you enjoy your life

Have fun and grab pleasures

Is it not possible to empathize with someone

Who suffers his or her pain alone?

To help, a heart is needed, not so much treasures.

Whispers of an Orphan Heart

I take care of children orphaned and abandoned. I have often heard these words whispered by the hearts of these children.

Be a loving father to me

Be a caring mother to me

Alone am I and very lonely

Please stand here, be near me

Without love, I’m so cold

Draw me to your heart, hold

Give a piece of your warmth

Stunted am I, help me unfold

Papa, don’t push me away

You are my only safe bay

I am a boat tossed by waves

In my darkness you’re the ray

Starved for wee love and care

In a body bruised and bare

Heal me with tender ointment

Moments of joy for me are rare

Papa at me please don’t yell

In kind voice you can always tell

Whatever you want to say to me

Harsh words break me to hell

Papa, for me you are God’s face

Mama, you are in the Lord’s place

Your presence is my life’s meaning

To me, in the world’s mad race

Here, everyone is running for self

No time to extend a hand to help

Money pulls and Mammon drives

Who in love would like to delve?

I reply:

Here I am for you, my child,

Your mother stands tender-n- mild

Fear not, grow in strength daily

God cares in times good-n-wild

Mamma, The King is Naked

The grey hair on the chair is unfair

Lifting his pet to crown on cushion

Injustice pollutes the garden’s pure air

Who can tell naked walks the king?

His nudity is visible to his subject

His efforts to hide to the open bring

Did the monarch begin as a fool?

Honest and wise leader was he once

Now at his courtiers’ hands he’s a tool

Where Devil breeds acts of hate

Can Love’s angels sing their hymn?

Souls of lambs are left to their fate

“Save us”, they lift their hands and say

But my hands are chained; helpless

Which horizon will send the saving ray?

Pray, pray, O lambs, call the Father near

To the Hell’s door evil forces pull us

Eternal destruction will swallow us, we fear

Save us Father, save us O Son, our Savior

Save us Holy Spirit, help us angels and saints

Unto you, we commend our life and future.

Don't Say Anything

Don’t utter a word, be careful

Big Brother will be displeased

Don’t open your mouth, it’s wise

He may land a slap on your cheek

Don’t protest, don’t sigh a voice

 He may push you by your neck, off the cliff

Let not any gesture of yours express dislike

You will be hated by powers that are

Your heart may shout angry words within

But silence is best for you.

If you have a clever game, play it

If you know a word to appease, say it

Your life is the precious gold to hold

It’s not necessary to be too bold

Put aside your lofty ideals and values

Survival be the only aim and motto

In this cruel capricious world selfish

You can’t be enemy to crocodile, as a fish

If you can’t be a shark be an anemone

You’d look beautiful at the bottom of the sea.

Revolutions have been brought about

By minds fired with fiery thoughts

With guns and swords that cause

Pain, bloodshed, death and destruction

If you join the fight you bet your life

For a cause that may be won or lost

You may live to see the fruit of your labor

There are other revolutions unseen and unsung

That remold the souls, transform the hearts

You may like to choose one between two paths.

By Xavier Bage

Fri, Dec 4, 2015

Foggy Mornings

At this time of the year, we usually have foggy mornings in southern Bengal. A foggy morning takes my mind to my childhood days in the north. In those days I used to reach my school with drops of fog on my hair, my pullover and my school bag.

Light always wins the race

Trees in fog

Fog over the paddy fields
Fog over the grassy leas,
Floating over rolling rivers
Hovering over sleepy seas.

Fog over the green tea bushes
Fog over the misty mounts,
Robing the trees in milky white
Confusing my repeated counts.

Fog blocking my seeking eyes
Fog hiding my beloved sight,
Turning the Sun into the moon
Prolonging the loaded night.

Fog wetting my curly hair
Fog dampening my tidy dress,
Freezing my tender fingers
Turning my games to mess.

Fog, have your own jolly time
Fog, have your full fun hour,
It’s sure like the Sun above
There’s an end to your power.


I’ll stand in a sunny patch
Feeling the rays on my face,
Between light and darkness
It’s light that always wins the race.

By Xavier Bage
February20, 2015