Hillol Ray

PLIGHT OF THE CHECHENS

Global demands for a world of freedom and peace
Should no longer be ignored for sure –
And I raise this at the plight of the Chechens,
And ask for how long they have to endure?
News of atrocities against these peoples
Are heart-wrenching and vitiating the global air –
And they are in dire need of genuine actions
To preserve their dignity and peace to share!

Throughout history, we see that Chechens
Have never yielded to oppression of any kind –
And face constant war to guard customs
With independence by any means they can find!
Kids are taught well to bow to no one, not even to gain
Favors by pleasing any authority –
While the man must fight to the end to preserve
The freedom with his might and dignity!
They remained independent for about four thousand years
Against all the enemies’ fight –
To protect their small pieces of mountainous paradise
In the Caucasus, a beautiful sight!
In the name of “new” God – the oil revenue,
Ethnic cleansings are carried on at all times –
While defenders are branded as terrorists
And their lives are valued as nickels and dimes!
After 132 years of torment, the Chechen Republic
Of Ichkeria was formed with new hope –
But no peace came to the Caucasus,
And hostilities continued that Chechens had to cope!
New attacks were launched against them
To secure oil production and transport to the sea –
Still the divine spark in the hearts of Chechens
Energized to hold on to their freedom key!

The Chechens’ character of own independence
Is a peril for the oil ducts over the years –
And they are facing extermination followed by a destiny
They have tasted without fears!
We recall their fights against Soviets in the cold winter
Of February, nineteen forty four –
When Chechens were moved to freezing freight car
To speed up or push the heaven door!
The destination was cold fields of Kazakhstan
To expose the Chechens to the freeze kill –
And those who remained alive were shot dead,
Or burned alive to create the quick chill!

The Chechens endured these horrible plights
But are still alive to share their horrific tale –
While the battle continues to preserve dignity
Followed by freedom to ring the peace bell!
The democratic Russia wants to get rid of them fast
To gain control of oil ducts as a gain –
And the world stands by in awe, how those who resist
Are facing such ‘unmerciful’ pain?

The history of Chechens is amazing,
Like their unmitigated taste for freedom with peace –
Deprivation, hunger, poison, and induced diseases
Couldn’t deter them anything to miss!
They stick together so well, honor their families,
And treasure their freedom as a resource –
And stay ready to sing the national anthem,
“Death or Freedom” against any brutal force!

As per recent history, sixty percent of the Chechens
Have died at their oppressors’ hands –
And presently the country is only a collection
Of rubble lying scattered all over the lands!
The Chechens have truly proved their endurances
And loyalty to their country with sanity –
And now I appeal to the world to stop atrocities
And acknowledge our common humanity!