Breaking News? Poem by Kishore Asthana

What earth shakes, what stomach fills
With the airing of Sanjay’s wedding ills?
And if Aishwarya visits a holy shrine
What concern is it of yours and mine?

The price offered for a cricket ‘hero’
Which nets you and me absolute zero.
And Amitabh’s farm under Mayawati’s glance
Are they worth such a song and dance?

Rahul’s every smile, gesture and word
Is it necessary to be seen and heard?
And do we always want, in our sights
Wonders such as Khali’s fights?

Why, then, is this called “Breaking News”
When it is dull and doesn’t amuse
When repeated on and on and on
By TV anchors night and morn

The broadcasters really have no excuse
Except that they'll do as they choose
For freedom of speech has let them loose
Along with their anchors and TV crews

Now, untamed, they prowl the air
Repeating stuff which makes you despair
Of their abilities and of their schools
Which tell them –“all audiences are fools”

But remember, God is not unkind
He sees all and is not blind
There’s a commandment to escape this hell
“Thou shalt use thy remote well”

Kishore Asthana
asthana1@yahoo.com