Corruption Poem by Daniel Trevelyn Joseph

My son-in-law who now has moved to Delhi,
Comes to Mumbai and goes back
Same day with a street dog
Buying for it an AC first class ticket
Seeks a coupe, not to vex others:
Cant get, franticalls my wife,
And she goes 15 minutes prior to departure,
Argues, Kareena-like, in movie Jab We Met,
Or, Kannagi-like, in Chilappadhiharam,
Puts him and his companion in,
Two understanding foreigners, helping.

After the train has traveled a few hours,
The conductor cancels dog’s ticket,
After taking dog-ticket-money of Rs 1700,
The cancellation refund in advance!
And issues required slip faithfully,
To be honored after a few days,
Maybe weeks of ‘pillar to post’ing?
Gives to another man for money
He has a new passenger on dog's seat
Double whammy for him in money!

The country is corrupt, undisciplined…
At every level. As above, so below.
But that is ok. Each lives his life alone,
Depending upon his need for money,
And his power to procure it.