Concert for Bangladesh Memory

Anonymous - Special to Boatman News Service and Associated Content

Fourth of July was over. The hot dogs had been supreme and the fire works spectacular. There had been a little carnival set up in the park with a great merry-go-round. I like to ride round and round sitting on the bench. The horses are just too lively for me. No need to concentrate that much.

Most days this month I was working, and meeting up with my friend in New York. We knew each other professionally. We liked each other's work. Both of us appreciative of a real friendship with no worry of romance. I admired her deep love and devotion to her husband. Each was secure in love and comfortable with themselves. He needed no explanation. And I didn't have anyone to explain anything to.

I liked being with her, and being included in the scene because I was with her. Unlike many of the others we knew, we didn't smoke or do anything. We both favored ice cold Tab as we were mixing with the group of the moment. Alert and having fun, we devoured conversation. The occasional difference of opinion we might acknowledge was a threat to neither.

Too early my friend had come by. Bearing gifts of coffee and pastries well before noon. It's not right, but forgivable. July had ended for 1971. August 1st was starting a bit sooner than most days for me. I got over it. She was telling me why this concert was important. We were on our way.

My friend told me how the Bangladesh Liberation War had left the new nation scarred and wounded, with huge refugee problems. Desperate people fleeing to get out of the way of bullets and madness. Their simple goal was just to breathe and live.

Hundreds of thousands of refugees. Family clutching to family. Grasping for hope. Humans with nothing huddled on a scrap of earth. People feeling the anger of a cyclone. Soaked in unrelenting rains. Ongoing flood waters of filth and debris washing over them. Wounded, sick, gasping for breath. Feebly pushing death away. Wide eyed stares looking. Seeing nothing. Sinking into darkness.