After The Lecture Poem by Upul Lekamge

Only the disappointment remains
after that healthy discussion.

The allocated time is over.
Pens clipped, texts closed
Files arranged, but ……
………….. the crippled minds ….. open.

The students were mechanically following
the footsteps of their master.
The bewildered faces in the glasses projecting
and mirroring the helplessness of the individuals
as they leave the room one after the other.

During the lesson there had been
numerous questions
hoping for an amicable discussion.
The questions raised were massacred ruthlessly
by sheer, unending verbosity.
Arguments wishing to heap on one another
were aborted the very moment they conceived.

‘See, this is disgusting, I don't know how you have
progressed so far …… the bloody idiots….
… (and some other words not to be mentioned) …..
You are solely responsible for the present catastrophe
we experience in our system'.

No one was interested in answering
but …….. I want to answer
still …….
……. what's the use…..?

The bulging eyes penetrated
through the innocent victims …………….

‘Any questions………….? '

The cynical smile emphasized that
the efforts not worth competing.
Each time the lop-sided version
left no room for counter arguments.
But the lop-sided facts remain
unchanged.

Feed-back time….
(The time of the hypocrites
each trying to satisfy their egotistical manners
in reciprocal ways.)

Duplicity covered, conscience wrapped
and reality hidden.

With each moment the confusion delves too deep
and gets fossilized forever.

An admiration is developed
towards the inanimates in my classroom.