Who really wants peace
Without the usual posturing and pretence
For the beasts of prey stalking our streets
It is all a talk of sheer impotence

For conflict spawns opportunities
Where peace will surely fail
Rapes, kidnappings, lynchings
Beckon the vultures on a hot trail

Laden with fresh stockpiles
Of weapons of mass murder
They approach both the sides
Eager to collect their order

Eyeing with ever growing greed
The potential for increasing skirmishes
For the fragrance of pillage and death
Adds flavour to their blood stained riches

Difficult to recognise
These vultures in civilian garb
For they look like you and me
Supposedly innocent at heart

Sometimes they take the shape
Of a powerful and influential country
Preaching civility and virtue
To all the world’s gentry

Subir Chakraborty / 2nd April 2018