When the World is a Stranger

When the world is a stranger,

Go humanise it;

When the world is a dictator,

Go democratise it.

When the world will not look

Into the kindness in your eyes,

Sing a song of togetherness

That callousness defies.

When justice becomes an empty word,

Be as just as you can;

When an epidemic of hate strikes,

Be your own medicine.

When gods defect to the money-bags

Take them on as well;

When creeds deface creation,

Be boldly spiritual.

Badri Raina