Speak, Akka, Speak

Speak, Akka, Speak

The east sky

This day

Of shining light

Invites me to walk

With all those 

who are silenced

Speak, Akka

They whisper 

In my heart spaces

And remind me

My voice has

Their words

Woven into

Each cry

And the room fills up 

as they enter one by one

I feel their pain

Weep, taking care

not to smudge my eleliner

taught well by my daughter

And speak of them

Speak, Akka, Speak

I'm here 

with you, they whisper

Let them doubt you

Let them tell their clever tales

Our hearts know

As does yours

You were there, Akka

 You've heard them

You've pushed back the words

And you have stood strong

Don't give up now Akka

Speak, Akka, speak

Maybe the unseen scars 

On our children will get lighter

Someday

And with that we shall heal

Don't stop, Akka 

Just speak

Speak, Akka, Speak

You have the words 

that they understand 

But our skin speaks 

before we open our mouths even

Yeah?

We have come far 

from our homes, long lost 

on the promise of freedom

So
Speak, Akka, Speak

We cannot lose our children, Akka

That's all we have

Speak, Akka, Speak

Why do I speak 

some ask

Is this reason enough?

*akka=Older  sister in Tamil, Kannada and Konkani