Poem-JAAHNAVI KANDULA--UnlimitedValue

POEM :

“JAAHNAVI  KANDULA -- UNLIMITED VALUE”

Jaahnavi Kandula was an Indian student from the Indian State of Andhra Pradesh, studying for a Master’s in Information Systems at the Seattle campus of Northwestern University, USA. In January 2023, she was fatally struck by a speeding police car that was driving far above the speed limit. Another police officer joked that she was of “limited value” and that a paltry sum should be paid as compensation. These remarks were scandalous and led to demonstrations. Many people in the town condemned such callous remarks. 

On this poem, please see :

https://news.yahoo.com/seattle-cop-laughed-woman-death-180515922.html  

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https://www.newsweek.com/seattle-cop-15-page-resignation-letter-full-jessica-taylor-1818812

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POEM :

“JAAHNAVI  KANDULA -- UNLIMITED VALUE”

1^st stanza

Like many of my fellow citizens, I striv’d to help my family :

Some fortunes I sought at yonder promis’d land,

A profitable new life at which I wish’d to try my hand :

As a grateful child, I want’d to do with gratitude my duty.

2^nd

Through my studies I struggl’d, I toil’d away,

Hoping to find for me and my near ones a better day;

The road is long and winding, the path is tough :

I falter not, though the going is rough.

3^rd

I forget not my roots, my obligations, my duties :

Devot’dly I plod away on by books, at my studies;

A good job, a decent salary : at last to my mother

I will show the gratitude of her loving daughter…

4^th

These paths often have I trodden,

These sights daily have I beholden,

How safe these surroundings :

How pleasant to spend here the evenings…

                                              *****

5^th

A careering chariot by a madman driven

Charg’d through monstrously down the road;

Human lives ne’er matter’d to him behind the wheel :

His exhilarating power sadistically did he feel…

6^th

What could matter flying, snapp’d limbs, body parts,

Still more power to the chariot drunkenly he imparts :

He himself was safe behind the steely cage :

Through the streets he drove with gleeful rage…

                                              *****

7^th

A muffl’d impact, then a noisy, metallic connection,

Through the street a deadly reverberation,

A life of hope turn’d suddenly into a malediction :

What an epilogue !... Go prepare for the cremation…

8^th

Whereas the mother was promis’d a better life,

The heart-rending news brought unbearable strife :

The promis’d dollars suddenly were splash’d with gore :

Gore spill’d by a careering driver : onto her very core…

9^th

The shock’d mother collaps’d from the announcement :

Her girl’s funeral would be her own interment…

In truth, the money was not the overriding matter :

In her heart would ne’er cease the crushing chatter…

10^th

At any time of the day or night, the pangs would strike :

The pain, the suff’ring, the despair would again spike :

The memories would flood back : joyful shrieks of yore :

Patt’ring feet in the home would echo pitilessly ever more…

11^th

What a life !... What a destiny !... After endearment,

A funeral pyre : after giving life, giving the final fire :

After protecting baby’s life, starting the flaming moment :

How to scrape along after such torments unspeakably dire…

                                           ***** 

12^th and last

May the curse rage all the way to whole Seattle :

May the ghoulish culprits ne’er get any repose :

For the grieving mother, life forever froze :

Always must the pangs the guilty throttle !...

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Soman Ragavan

Mauritius

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