They will never have my books.
They may burn my books,
But I have already memorised them.
They may write new ones
to turn my children into soldiers of hate,
But I have taught them differently.
They may stop printing my books
But my mouth will publish my words tirelessly.
They may break my pen, spill my ink pot
But my mind will keep scribbling,
Dipping its nib in the pigment of my heart.
They will never have my books.
Deeplakshmi Saikia is an Art History research scholar. A firm believer in the power of the written word, she worries about a dystopian future where ‘they’ will take over her books.