Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire

Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire

Mourners from the Ladies Waist and Dressmakers Union Local 25 and the United Hebrew Trades of New York march in the streets after the Triangle fire. Photo from Kheel Center

Factory in New York City was underway

by Roshan Pandey

March 25, 1911 was the day

When the fire at Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York City was underway

600 workers were sewing clothes at the factory floor

Trying to save their life escaping through window and door

Locked was the exit door with iron key

Unsatisfied with the management were employee

Surrounded by four stone pillars

The building had no fire sprinklers

As the fire started in a rag bin

Employees had nowhere to step in

Struggling to breathe fresh air

Some people jumped through window in midair

Only to land dead at concrete in despair

Others tried to break the door

Looking to get out of fire smoke

As the fire ran through the ninth and tenth floor

Some people collapsed next to the closed door

146 workers in total died of fatal burn

While their loved ones painfully yearn

For 11 minutes was all it needed

To fight the fire and get expired

Youngest victim was 14 years while the oldest was 43 years

Both victims left the world with eyes full of tears

 

My rocking chair: At home

My rocking chair: At home

Old rocking chair

My rocking chair: At home

by Roshan Pandey

I had a rocking chair

Which I brought from Goodwill dear

It was such an amazing chair

Where I sat down to drink a can of Corona beer

To hear the flow of Iowa river

Move from west to east in the sun’s atmosphere

Across the river were a boyfriend and a girlfriend

Looking to get their first kiss

Only to have it missed

Unaware there was a hunter

Shooting at the sandpiper

Down went the sandpiper fluttering its wings

At the couple’s shiny feet

Pounding her heartbeat

Took her only 60 seconds

To lose her last breath

Diamond Lake Park- Gaze

Diamond Lake Park- Gaze

A lake in winter

Diamond Lake Park- Gaze

by Roshan Pandey

Gaze at water in the lake

It’s a beautiful Christmas break

It may be December and a windy icy day

But look at the sky

The birds still fly

Gaze at water in the lake

Where the geese still walk as they graze

Gaze at the trees in the park

Where the birds sitting in the trees

Singing the song like its summer

While it may still be December

Look at the prairie grass

Full of contrast

Look at the sky

It’s so high

I wish I could fly

Owls

Owls

Eurasian eagle owl

Beautiful night full of stars

Owls sit in the trees and listen

Wise are their eyes as they see

People come and go to watch them

As they sit and patiently wait

Their wisdom comes from silence

While they remain quiet and hungry

Waiting for the food to arrive

I look at their sight

To leave the treasure of food behind

Because I came to feed them

On the full moon night

Their wisdom is a hidden thrill

Beyond the capacity of sky that is still

Finally, I hear a voice loud and clear

That tells me to hold them close, near and dear.

 

Trees

Trees

Trees in a trail

Trees are my sanctuaries when I feel low

When I feel low, I look at the trees

Which are the glory of parks and forests

Because they absorb carbondioxide and release oxygen

I get lost in the woods

Like a seven year old child

Searching for nothing but happiness, peace and tranquility

Amidst the beautiful fall weather of Shenandoah National Park

I begin 30 days of silence

To practice deep meditation and understand the truth

As I hear the voices of birds

That stand freely on the branches of trees

Occupied by squirrels trying to climb the top of the trees

And see the surrounding from the pinnacle

A tree full of leaves in each branches

Is as equally important as a human

Because of its omnipotent power

To spread the fresh air

While remaining humble to its value

To unite every American to come together

In a nation that is all too divided by politics

Because united we stand, divided we fall

A lesson that I learned from all trees in harmony with nature

Their purpose is to grand humans

Who are full of flaws

The eternity and the heavenly state.