Half Human*

by Laishram  Ratan

No horns on the head
No furs on the body
No tooth to bite
No claws to cut
Nonetheless
They’re the ones
Who snatched away from the bosom
Child of the innocent mother
Who robbed away
Honour of the pure virgin.
Yes
There’s an animal
Sure, it has a name
The name is half human.

(* Translated from Manipuri by Homen Thangjam, published in Sangai Express, August 30, 2009)