16th December, A New Nation Born 

9 months of darkness, horror, death and destruction 

3 million sacrificed, slaughtered, pillaged and displaced 

Frightened, fearless, fractured, unbroken, freedom prevailed 

16th December, declaration of a new nation

Blood and motherland enshrined 

Red rivers flow, red stains ingrained

A time of jubilation, sorrow, joy, sadness

16th December, ready to face the new world

Heavy, breathless, wave-like motions of pain 

Turned away, mum walked the miles 

One foot in the door, no more waiting, here I come!

16th December, I was born 

9 months of pain, 9 months of struggle, I came fighting and kicking 

Bloody and alone, she cut the cord and held me close 

Two weeks in hospital, mum and daughter triumphed

16th December – a cake from Percy Ingles

For my birthday? 

Bangladesh independence? 

I was never quite sure…

Written by Junna Begum 

Junna Begum, born and brought up in Brick Lane specialises in arts for social change.  Currently, the project lead for the Trellis programme at UCL Public Arts and formerly a cultural policy lead for the Mayor of London’s cultural strategy.  Junna is the project lead for Brick Lane: A Community Portrait, telling the stories of British Bangladeshis who lived and worked in the area from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s.

#independence #birthday #freedom #motherland

Theme: history