Kashmir ki kali hun
I am raised on the streets of this city.
Why my mother cries
I just don’t know.
Each night as the sun sets
My heart starts racing.
The soldiers grip their guns
As they march guarding their
Stately palace.
My mother takes me there,
Dresses me up, prepares my face
My lips with red
Then she cries.
This moment, I own.
All of my desires bloom.
Then, from all around me,
The fingers come like swords.
They catch me and put me
Somewhere, I don’t know.
They tear my clothes, and
One by one they invade me.
From my body, a red scream escapes
Asking everyone:
Kashmir ki kali hun,
This red bud fallen from its cold branch
Who has trampled her underfoot?
Who has stolen this child?
