Government Quarters Poem by Namita Rani Panda

"Is this a house fit for living dear
Which has less wall and more windows and doors? "

"Free flow of fresh air is perhaps our Head's chief concern
Don't you know, big windows ensure better ventilation."

"The toilet is smaller than that of the train
It's a tormenting chamber for me, a bulky woman."

"Firstly, life is a journey, it's the reminder
It's just to use for a few minutes, not for hours dear."

"Where to set the cutlery, the kitchen is too small
There is no space even for the dining table."

"Be satisfied with a few utensils and a life so simple
Better adapt to buffet style, at parties you'll never fumble."

"There's is no space in the bedroom for the third bed
No space for my dressing table and for my cosmetics no
cupboard."

"Be sure, if ever any guest comes, will leave soon on his/her
own
No need of mirror and cosmetics, for me you're evergreen."

"The walls look shabby with marks of seepages
It seems as if not been whitewashed since ages"

"If you look intently, don't they look like modern paintings?
Without spending a single pie, we have a house adorned with
such exquisite paintings"

"You toil from morn to evening with not a cosy space to rest
You foolishly boast that government job is the best! "

"You don't know my darling, government is our well-wisher
With high ideals quarters are planned by highly qualified
engineers."

"Where do these ideals go when they plan for the officials?
Are they only humans and the rest are animals? "

"If you want to live in peace shrink your wishes and stop
complaining
Be satisfied with what you've thinking of people with no shelter
or even decent clothing."