O Manipur

O Manipur, my confusion
What have you become? 
People say the divide is new;
They say it’s all the politics and the government.
Really? 
It may be the government now 
But certainly not before!
Rather, was it not the beliefs in new gods and goddesses;
Was it not the foods, dresses, tales, songs 
And thoughts from beyond
That we foolishly believed makes us different as peoples?
Our hearths detached;
Our foods broken up;
Our dresses split;
Our tales confused;
Our songs re-tuned;
And people rudely tagged as Ching mi and Tam mi
But still joined at the umbilical
And it hurts every time there is a tug in the opposite direction!

Immanuel Zarzosang Varte
18th August 2015

BEING MISUNDERSTOOD

When I eat a lot, they say it’s because I smoked Ganja.

When I eat less, they say I am high on drugs.

When I come home late in the evening, they say it’s because I was looking for a prostitute,

When I get up early in the morning, they say it’s because I need a morning shot.

When I stay at home, they say I’m looking for something to sell from the house.

When I break down crying, they leered at me saying what a weak person I am for crying!

When I’m ill and had to lie down, they say I am just being lazy and pretending to be ill.

When I say I don’t have money to spare, they say I’m being parsimonious.

When I finally picked up the courage to speak to a girl, they say my behaviour is lecherous.

When I pay a courtesy visit to my neighbour’s, they say I am looking for something to steal.

When even my neighbour’s ill-fed bitch seems to look at me with suspicion and distrust;

When even my cries of despair are just another harbinger for more abuse,

Then I know that any hope for even the slightest hope for a better life is gone.

Even being religious doesn’t help with people whispering

“I bet He is using God’s name only as a mask”...and the Pastor didn’t chide them for betting!

Immanuel Zarzosang Varte

18/07/2015