Atonement

They marched past
brittle streets,
entered a highway
of meaningless commotions,

Pouring hearts out
beating melancholy drums
told sad tales of crime
committed ages hence,

Wary of oddities let loose
state servicemen guard the procession
with a fanatics’ zeal,
appeasing
outrageously suspicious masters
busy plotting peace
while millions walk barefooted
towards the kerbala of soul
armed with sorrows and sores only.