The gorgeous hills, vales and mellow slopes
The green meadows, the serene quiet spots
Ringed by snowcapped high rise mountains
Neatly dotted with pine and fir forests
Mini Switzerland with the fame it boasts
With joy ridden Pahalgam-the name triumphs.
They came with dreams and fantasies
To Baisaran meadow, full of charm and grace
Far from South, East, West, and North
Families, newly-weds, children and friends
Some were dancing, some were on reels
Some on mobile clicks for WhatsApp posts
Some on pony rides, some on treks and jaunts.
All at once, silence shattered, hearts were torn,
As bullets rained on a fine tranquil afternoon
Fuelled by hate, the bigots crossed borders
Picked and killed with sectarian colours
Heads of men were slayed at point blank
Made wife, mother to cry to their last brink
Turned the green meadow with deep red stains.
No god, no faith, this perverted creed
Can ever justify this vile and heinous deed
The screams of innocents’ echo in the hills
Dreams of the ill-fated resonate in vales
With anguish, the millions curse the meadows.
Those who came for joy and fun, had a trust
Were sure to return safely to their nest
Alas! Now they are lying silent in the dust
Voice needs to be raised and let truth not fade
Let the mask be exposed behind sharp blade