A non -poem for Louis Kasatkin, poet, critic and admin of Destiny Poets group and website that has helped many Indian poets to come up, who is on a hunger strike due to unemployment, hoping to get this situation redressed – sixth day now, if I am correct.
I do not know you, Louis
except as the one who
encouraged many of us poets and critics
including ill fitting me
As a part of your noble, little recognized Destiny
You, a poet,
critic and Christian
belong to a dying breed
or the giving one
You strike now for a job, without food
I don’t know who will listen
I do not write this to get anything done.
I am not going to send you money, or get you a job somehow
or ask others for a pat on the back for writing this
or organize the writing of more poems
or anything
I write it because I wish
to thank you for
your subjective, unbiased reading of my poems
and little notes of criticism
and citations that made me happy when I read them
and I hope that your problems get sorted out soon
as I hope mine will too
Just one more futile gesture
of solidarity
without even
the courage to call you brother,
for what is love without action?
Nothing.
It is just words.
This is not even poetry.
Thank you. Considering the gravity of subject matter,this is indeed an elegantly crafted piece of work ,even if I say so myself.
Thank you Louis, I value that comment greatly 🙂
That’s great to extend words of concern and thanks like this Koshy sir.
Louis : I pray that things get sorted out soon and save you from the pain of the hunger strike you are on. Please do take care. Your words and feedbacks are food for our thoughts and ideas. And irrigation for our poetry to grow well.
thanks sana rose
To express solidarity like this means a lot ! It makes us feel very much like a family, even if we are in distant lands. Louis Kasatkin deserves accolades for this.
Thank you Lokesh 🙂
I am greatly indebted to Louis for providing us such a great platform. Thank you Dr. Koshy for putting in words what I have been feeling since Louis has been fasting.
Thanks rashmi 🙂
A nice thanksgiving! a lovely gesture with a sweet piece of poetry Dr Koshy! thank you we join you in this!
thank you sangeeta 🙂
Moving poem! Hope everything is fine now.