Where Doves Dare not Dwell
By Ritu Kamra Kumar
(A Villanelle on War and Its Wounds)
War scrawls its curse on charred and crumbling lands,
The dove delays its flight through skies once blue.
No victor claims the blood upon their hands.
Steel roars where once stood homes and wedding bands,
Soft songs are drowned by bombs that tear truth through—
War scrawls its curse on charred and crumbling lands.
A council's cold decree—sealed by sly hands—
Unleashes fire upon the frail and few.
No victor claims the blood upon their hands.
Wilfred warned of Dulce’s bitter strands,
Yet boys march blind where poppies never grew.
War scrawls its curse on charred and crumbling lands.
The ego eats where empathy disbands,
And ashes mask the mother’s mournful hue.
No victor claims the blood upon their hands.
O Dove! Delay no more—redeem these sands,
Let peace descend in panache, proud and true.
War scrawls its curse on charred and crumbling lands—
No victor claims the blood upon their hands.
Dr. Ritu Kamra Kumar, former Officiating Principal and Associate Professor of English at MLN College, Yamuna Nagar, is an academician, poet, and writer. With over 400 contributions to leading national newspapers and magazines, she has published 70+ research papers in reputed national and international journals and edited books. A noted resource person and speaker, she has led workshops and panel discussions nationwide, including at the Delhi Book Fair 2024. Honoured by the District Administration and featured as an Empowered Woman by The Hindustan Times, she is a recipient of the Indian Woman Achiever Award and has authored eight books.