Poem 3—DEMOCRACY
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I live in a democracy,
They say I have huge rights
I am the master
And they are my servants.
I am just one of a few million
In this big democracy
Do you feel free?
Enjoy the fruits of freedom?
Equal rights everywhere?
Feel safe and secure
In this our vast land?
No, no, no and again no,
This is a land of political parties,
Myriads of them
Of diverse hues and shades
The leaders speak and shout
Not for you and me
But for people of their own sect.
And for themselves.
Ideologies they have,
But not for them to follow,
But to dangle before you
Like carrot before a stupid donkey.
Promises they make by the dozen
Not for them to keep,
But as sweet honey
For the tongue of the followers
Serving hardly any other purpose.
I live in a democracy,
They say it is your country
They have taught me
And still teaching me,
Reminding me
And wanting me to believe.
They have their reasons
They seek power
And for that they need
Votes, my vote and your votes,
Ideologies are just
A bunch of leaves
Dangled before a stupid goat
Once in five years they celebrate
The festival of elections,
They make you and me
Play active parts in it
They make much of you
Treat you like a king
Humble servants they are
They request, they beg
With folded hands and smiling lips
They don't ask much from you
All they need is a vote
Your vote and my vote,
Brother, it's a democracy, they say
You have the right to vote
Brother, the fate of our nation
Is in your hands, they repeat,
You do have faith in our democracy,
Please vote, don't fail to vote.
They come one by one,
All with the same request
Please vote, brother, please vote.
I have watched your antics
In the august assembly
I have heard your hollering
Your threats and war-cries,
I have seen you walking out,
I have seen you abstain from voting
I have also caught you napping
Not once, but several times
All in this sanctum of democracy,
The greatest democracy in the world.
Now I hear you say,
Please vote, it's your duty, Brother,
YOU have to exercise your right,
It's WRONG to abstain.
Is it? I ask,
Don't I have an equal right
To abstain, not waste my precious right,
To refuse, to reject all
I do not trust
None worthy to chose?
Brother, isn't this our dear country,
The greatest democracy
Where I can have my will
Once in five years' time?
, ______________________
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
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