CRISIS OF IDENTITY

One day unexpectedly, quite unexpectedly
our colony known for peace
plunged into a wild fire of
riot
its origin, no one knew for
sure
as in every riot, somewhere
a spark developed into a
wild-fire
many innocents got caught
in it
friends turned foes
women raped, children
abused and tortured, many
fled for life to faraway
areas, residents robbed off
but from which part
of the colony the spark
erupted, no one knew for
sure.
The mayhem lasted for
two-three days
gradually the wildfire
got doused
our colony turned into
an area of graveyard silence
the residents with bruised
psyche
came to know of the origin
of the spark
and was stunned.
It was lit by outside
elements
elements with communal
tinge
who instigated a section
littered the area with
pamphlets containing
riot-inspiring messages
the robbery, rapes,
torture, all their handiworks
since then
our colony never knew
peace
intermittent clashes
of the day
now we have after all
learnt to live with it.
Pity, violence snatched away
our identity, that precious gem
and peace
for ever.