Bargain

I’ve seen
– many men of lesser quality
– rise upwards
– and have immense influence
– on the people around
– and many others of best quality
– fall down
– under the excuse of recession
– when job is badly appraised
– and responsibility blindly assessed
– and salary adversely reduced.

A nude man
– barely in skin
– shies from people
– tries to hide everything
– so many secrets
– fears to share with others
– the poor chap letting no chance to disclose
– what he has, what not
– but poor in the effort
– he wears all that he has
– the skin covers him all over.

The politicians
– first woo the people
– then the parties, leaders and independents
– to make a government at the Centre
– they refresh the old promises of road, clothes and house
– and add to give the power, control economy and guarantee security
– And bucks
– to the fellow politicians
– and creamy posts to some, ministries to the others
– but people always find themselves
– on the margin
– once the vote is over
– they are again in the queue
– waiting for the next hustings
– when they would get the chance
– to teach them once more
– what pain it is
– to go back from the words
– while the parties enjoy
– the deal they gain.
– Should each of us not flung a party and bargain
– road, clothes, house, power, economy and security?
– A one billion party will be a fine idea.

Khurshid Alam