The Resolute Chair

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(Written and translated from the Nepali language)

- Purna Shova Chitrakar

No matter whether in the hot summer sun

Or the cold chilling gusts of winter

In Geneva, a three-legged chair

Stands, locked in time

On the doorstep of the Palace of Nations

Every day, it tells us stories

Stories about brutalities of landmines

To all that pass it by

To men, women and children

To World leaders, and innocents.

One day, I bore witness

To some passersby

Gossiping

Laughing

About the chair

They said:

"What a stupid chair,

It's just stupid"

Listening to them I felt as if

The chair pretended to

Shrink

Somewhat in shame

But it refused to give in

And becoming humbler still

Continued to tell the stories

Stories about weapons of cruelty

And the bravery of people

Who strive for

A better world.