Published: 12:17 AM, 20 October 2026
Broken Love of the Twenty-First Century
In sacred love, dreams were woven with deep devotion
Life awakens in that light, touched by warm emotion.
The touch of that feeling wipes away all fear, Must one become a criminal just for holding love dear?
Upon the pages of history lie crimson stains of blood, In judging love, wild injustice still burns like a flood.
Laila-Majnu, Shirin-Farhad-burned through ages past, Love was crushed to ashes in tears of sorrow vast. Today, standing at technology's peak, civilization boasts its pride. Yet why does primitive, savage darkness still dwell on every side?
If a single kiss becomes a crime that sheds a stream of blood, Where then lie our conscience and rights in this raging mud? Where power hides its sin beneath a heavy veil.
The burden of injustice falls on the weak and frail. In foreign lands flow silent tears of women in despair.
Does justice stop its course and leave them stranded there? No longer can these wrongs be kept hidden out of sight, Let humanity awaken today, let justice bloom in light.
The open sky of the twenty-first century proclaims aloud Let human conscience rise and shine, unbowed!
The couple's loving passion is like a celestial call, Not a terrifying mistake From the dark ages after all.
Footnote: The above artwork known as "Love and Death" was painted by Italian artist Calcedonio Reina in 1881. The poet is Chairman, Editorial Board of The Asian Age.
