The Last War

By Shiuli Sural

Ahoy there! The land approaches
The soldiers rejoice, the prisoner reproaches
They’ve come back from another battle
Destroyed houses, people and cattle

So the kingdom is now safe again
From enemies, treachery and disdain
The brave-hearts fought with all their might 
To win each and every fight

But,
Those who had been martyred 
On both sides, winners and losers
Shed tears for their families from above
They had been husbands, sons and fathers.

A war can never decide
Who is wrong and who is right
What is big and what is small
Who will rise and who will fall

What war does,
Is that it divides the world
Into more pieces and erects more walls
How can a broken heart ever rejoice 
With restless nights and a dying voice

My world , my people, my near and dear
Let’s live in peace with love and care
Holding hands we all will say
That we renounce war from today

There are more pressing matters to be dealt with
Changing climate, rising poverty and filth
This beautiful blue mother Earth 
Needs us to acknowledge her worth.

When Life Gives A Chance

By Shiuli Sural

It was not long ago
When the world looked dark to me
It made me question myself
My life, my choice, my ability 

I turned around, looking
For help to forget my strain
Instead I found, a white substance
An answer to my pain

I felt so high
Like I could almost fly
This was ecstasy 
No more did I cry

My very own world 
No one to be seen 
None to be heard
Here, I was the queen

A day arrived 
Though not all of a sudden
When this world of mine 
Was ruled by Satan

What I’d created in a frenzy 
Had now turned it’s back on me
It clenched my throat
How I choked and choked
In the ocean of despair 
Was my life’s sinking boat

But,
Then a change that was long due
Came in little by little
And I started to realise
Why my life was so brittle 

I reached out for help, 
Support, hope and empathy
I found oceans of all this and more
In someone who saved me

My therapist proved to be
An angel in disguise
Light and love she made me see
And freed me from my ties

Now,
I see the world with hues of hope
And the earth bejewelled with light
My mind and soul dream and smile
I find joy in every sight.