Grateful Conversations Never Had
Hamim Group garment factory in Ashulia, Dec. 2010
But now taking place in my mind.
Many of the dead were caught
Sewing garments, dresses
For Target and Walmart, tailored
Pants for upscale finery shops on Fifth
Avenue, struggling to meet the US
Christmas due dates.
Many of the dead were planning
Dinner of Bhatm rooti or chapatti.
They were mentally preparing
A slow smooth yellow curry,
Or perhaps a soup
Made of pulses for when
Neighbors stopped by.
Many of the dead were women
Whose children sat at their feet
Collecting spare threads
And remnants
Of cloth as it was discarded.
Many of the dead made desperate
Attempts to escape, jumping
Out of windows at impossible
Heights, and yet a simpler
Choice than remaining.
Many of the dead found
Locked exit doors, as if they had
All been purposely left
Behind, to fend for themselves
To rise from the inferno, to be born
Again.
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