A Poem: Listen to me first

Listen to me first—

the noise is too much,

the crying overwhelms.

I hear nothing at all.

Tell me where I must go

to hear your distress.

Where does peace live? Tell me.

You too—choose my path.

Listen to me first.

Where happiness is sold,

you can always find it.

Where misery is stolen,

tell me the name of that city.

Your world has been destroyed;

now, if you wish, hang your head.

Listen to me first.

Whose pride lies buried here,

among these shattered heads?

Fireworks of Diwali today,

the knock of Holi tomorrow.

I have lost my sleep—

you also hear the sound of fear.

Listen to me first.

Your world is vast,

yet the noise is no smaller.

You are forced to live deaf;

then what is the point?

If you want to hear music,

hum it with me.

Listen to me first.

(A translation of "Aa Chal mere Saath" a poem written in hindi by Suvvidhi)