Swapan Basu
He was influenced by the 1913 Nobel Rabindranath Tagore from India. He translated few Tagore songs which could be sung in Tagore’s tunes. Some are at Youtube.com/SBRhyme. He writes regularly in community newspapers and magazines.
He did a Ph.D. in Chemistry in US and was in industry. At the end he chose to teach at HS. He wrote poems to motivate the restless young minds. Some were published in anthologies. He was inspired by the International Society of Poets. He received a silver bowel and medal from ISP in 2004 for being an outstanding poet.
To revive the fine art of rhyming, he founded and Chair, a Tax Exempt NPO, Rhyming Poets International at Facebook with 5500+ members. We hold a rhyming poetry contest. It invites featured poets. He received the first prize $1000 and a trophy in the Rabindranath Tagore International Rhyming Poetry Contest in 2015 as judged blindly by Bob Holman.
We workshop on different rhyming styles and celebrate birthdays of famous poets. The events are free and open to all styles. We telecast events to all over NYC and Newark, NJ. We publish a magazine Flute.
He reads at several events and was a featured poet in Phoenix, Brownstone etc. He has published a chapbook, ‘The Breasts’ and ‘Nectars of Tagore V1.’ His next book, ‘America! The Superpower!’ is in its way to publication. His poems were published in The Stain, Lips etc.
America! The Superpower!
Dr. Swapan Basu
Newark, New Jersey USA
A Super Villanelle
16th June 2006
3X5+4=19 lines, A1bA2/abA1/abA2/abA1/abA2/abA1A2
America, the Superpower, a champion of human rights.
Preaches to the world, of the great democratic principles.
Everybody pays attention, threatened by its military might.
Anyone opposes its wrongful war is a dangerous terrorist.
They are not peace lovers but slogan shouting criminals.
America, the Superpower, the teacher of human rights.
Without charges can detain anybody for periods indefinite.
They cannot have lawyers, cannot defend but rot in jails.
Everybody salutes attention, terrorized by its military might.
A labor leader was imprisoned for asking for pension benefit.
CEO's play golf, steal millions but slaves get no medicals?
America, the Superpower, a campaigner of Human Right?
A woman got raped but then the state forced her to give birth.
An unwanted child raised with hatred becomes an antisocial.
Everybody draws attention, trembling by its military might.
One cannot marry one's love but it is the state who would dictate.
Builds bomb, tank, spacecraft but not provide public health.
America, the Super rich, is also a stalwart of Human Right?
Prisoners at Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo Bay meet utter plight.
Vicious dogs bite naked men, forcefully emptying testicles.
Everybody is overcautious, frightened by its military might.
America! The Superpower?
Dr. Swapan Basu
Newark, New Jersey USA
A Super Villanelle
16th June 2006
Disregard the ballots by the folks, declared the Supreme Court.
They have no qualification, not much education, all too simple.
The Statue of Liberty cries America, where is Human Right?
Ignoring all nations, with false accusations, went into a fight.
Eves drops without caring courts, congress or rights of people.
Everybody pays attention, too scared of its military might.
Why did Rodney King get brutal beatings in a black night?
Why fifty bullets were fired to kill Sean Bell like a cattle?
Why did the court turn blind eyes and not protect human rights?
In August of 45, ‘Enola Gay’ took the most frightful flight
Hiroshima, Nagasaki vaporized, a genocide with no example.
Everyone remembers the horror by America, a super terrorist.
The poor, hungry, angry mass lowered the Guillotine's height.
In France, on 14th of July, fell the strong fortress of Bastille.
Learn America, learn! Do not be afraid of its military might.
People of Iran protested against the Shah raising angry fists
America took the side of Shag ignoring people’s struggle
They held diplomats hostage without fearing a military might.
Poets and singers can easily open up ordinary people's sight.
Please use the weapon as your 'Pen is mightier than a rifle'.
Listen to a poet, America and sing the glory of Human Right.
People hibernate like volcanoes, dangerous when erupt.
Weapons are weaker than the awakened mass, most awful.
America! What a caricature, a violator of Human Right.
Arise! People of America! Don't be scared of military might.
People – A Sestina
Dr. Swapan Basu
Founder & Chairman of
Rhyming Poets International,
Meetup.com/Rhyming-Poets,
A Tax Exempt Non Profit Organization
Newark, New Jersey USA
30th Nov 2011
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People’s anger burns in a fury 1
They have no job, shelter or food 2
Complaining in futile to all deaf ears 3
But nobody is paying any attention 4
They gather, march and yell in vain 5
Some have children but no healthcare 6
Govt. is not providing free healthcare 6
What can they do but to shout in fury 1
Protesting to the CEOs is total vain 5
Hoping to get back jobs to buy food 2
Will the lawmakers pay any attention? 4
They are only shouting to deaf ears 3
They beat drums to the deaf ears 3
Crippling disease without healthcare 6
Some may die. Please pay attention 4
Excruciating pain burns in fury 1
Few kind friends bring some food 2
Still how long will they cry in vain? 5
Will their movement fail in vain? 5
Could they at all open deaf ears? 3
Will every day they get any food? 2
Spends on wars but not on healthcare 6
Space crafts burn fuels in hot fury 1
To find water NASA pays much attention 4
The hungry jobless people gets no attention 4
Billions of war dollars were spent in vain 5
In growing debts students burn in fury 1
CEOs steal millions and have deaf ears 3
We will be penalized if not buy healthcare 6
They travel in personal jets, enjoy good food 2
People have no money to buy little food 2
Politicians want votes but pay no attention 4
Even if we cry in pain, without healthcare 6
With no interest, money in banks, stay in vain 5
Complains about high fees go to deaf ears 3
Pepper spray burns student’s eyes in fury 1
Revolutions were led by people without food 2
To prevent destruction now pay attention 4
End capitalism to improve social healthcare 6
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