One
infant grows up and becomes a Modi
Another
settles down quietly with shaadi
This
one the coveted circle hates to enter
That
one gets a cabinet rank in the centre
I
am just glad as glad can be
That
I am not them, and they are not me
With
all my heart I do admire
Politicians
with their pneumatic tyre
And
the flashing bulb on the roof
Also
the hooter that’s foolproof
And
the way they take each poll in gaudy pomp
And
maim each opponent as they romp
My
limp and bashful spirit feeds
On
other people’s heroic deeds
You’d
think my ego it would please
To
vote to power one of these
Well,
ego it might be pleased enough
But
the queue at the booth is rough stuff
I’d
rather be a spectator than cast the vote
For
people who will only rock my life’s boat
Confession: This is a parody
on Ogden Nash’s classical poem, The
Confessions of a Born Spectator, inspired by Gujarat’s decision to make
voting compulsory for all adult citizens.
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ReplyDeleteA good one and seriously shocked to learn that even voting right can be forced.
ReplyDeleteThat enforcement is an indication of things going to come, Saru. We are going to face a kind of subtle dictatorship.
DeleteNice poem..
ReplyDeleteThanks, Vartika.
DeleteWhy those last two lines sir ? They are explicitly and with seriousness expressing what you subtly and sarcastically intimated in rest of the poem.It is like explaining what you intended to say
ReplyDeleteThe poet persona is reiterating that he is a "born spectator"... I appreciate your pointing out the literary demerit of the couplet. But I am more concerned about hammering certain concepts down with ruthless determination.
DeleteYou must write a poem on how best we can prevent the 'rough stuff' at booths.
ReplyDeleteThat's a herculean challenge you are throwing at me, KM. :)
DeleteIt's so easy to be an "armchair critic" as I have often described myself.
I too am a spectator and happy to be one.
ReplyDeleteBliss belongs to the spectator, Nima.
Delete