Courtesies? Poem by Vinayak Manikkedath

Courtesies,
A boon,
Of civilized societies…
Whether,
The death of a loved one,
Or the birth of another,
One presents on the occasion.
On one occasion,
Where,
Hands tied, head bowed,
Lips tight,
Giving the onlooker….
The moaning stand….
Whereas,
On the other,
Hands open, head up,
Smile pasted,
Ah! This is,
The happy stand.
But hey! Have you,
Ever,
Noticed…..
On the back of the crowd,
The same people,
Hands tied,
Laughing more often,
Gaily, merry,
For there is no onlooker…..
Whether the death,
Or birth,
Of a loved one…..
One assumes different stands
For they fear
What others think
But pray why,
Do such gatherings occur?
It is there
Because of,
Courtesies.
A boon? ?
Of,
A so-called,
Civilized,
Society.