🔴Truth Absent in This City 🌎
—Zahidul Jamy

I walked the path of truth for ages,
Yet my steps falter in this city’s darkness.
The dazzling lies blind my eyes—
In this barren land, I remain destitute.
The chirping crickets, scorching summer afternoons,
Fresh fish, pure milk, and the scent of mustard—
All have vanished,
Concealed beneath the mask of deceit.

Know this, truth no longer fills the stomach,
And justice walks on a path of thorns.
In the court of so-called fairness,
The innocent hang by the noose of greed.
Those adorned with garlands of empty words
Trade humanity in the shadows of the night.
But they forget—
One day, suppressed voices will erupt,
Roaring a storm of rebellion.

This city’s new face—
A commercial painting of religion and ethics.
Those who once sowed the breeze of purity
Now find vultures nesting in their homes.
Your tears have dried, yet you remain silent—
We all remain silent.
In this society, silence is the rule.

Every day, I see integrity fall,
Like withered leaves from an ancient tree.
Dreams dissolve in distorted rain.
Misuse of faith brands the society with shame.
Human hopes, like dewdrops,
Evaporate into the air.
We are all prisoners—
Entangled in the web of lies, enslaved to injustice.

So, I urge you, my friend,
Let your protest rise as a thunderous cry,
Bring back the truth to this city.
Awaken!
From the stage of oppression,
Build a new dawn.
Free the muted voices,
Illuminate the path of light.
Let the shame of civilization dissolve—
In our collective voice.

Lies, I want to strip away your mask,
Your fangs and claws tear through society’s heart.
Hearing humanity’s sorrowful wails,
Civilization bows its head in shame.
In this city, justice is but a name,
While injustice stains the hands of power.
Let the scars of your misdeeds
Be revealed under the sun’s glaring light.
With fingers pointed directly at your crimes,
Let the world witness—
This is the civilization you have built.

Zahidul Jamy
January 8, 2025