At eighty he is still a coolie
Toiling in paddy lea
Reaping pods and
Heaping the seeds
His sagged muscles working
In wonted harmony
But his brain tired of thought
Of his son who died as a sot; or
Of his daughter widowed at twenty past
Or his wife pulling weeds at another spot
He has to carry on this moil; I thought
Till death to retain his breath
Looking at his pitiable plight
A wicked feeling swept my heart
How great we're in contrast
Honourable servants of the State
We retire at sixty, in peace
Take a lump sum of grant, apiece
Also a pension for monthly use
Last but not the least
A T.V and a chair to ease
All this at what a simple price
For sleeping forty years in office! ! !
bravery or forced demeanor god knows above all a man left standing in the middle of a park to shed blood, sweat and tears for someones he loved
good narration here, satya...some lives pass by thus...a paining truth... schemes for old age pension and grant are there...but they never reach out the deserving and the needy...thanks for sharing...10
As a conveyance of ideas this is a very good poem.As social commentary alas I am a poor critic, as I do not know what is just within the social fabric. Yr.Obdt.Svt. ngaio Beck
how true.. poor are there to suffer for ever and taken for granted.. you opened up a pot boiler of painful truth.. I share your views.. it is time to change but who will change.. lifes' two shades. well written reality..10 Rema
the poor farmer lacks security both from god and the governance...farming is truely a productive job..filing or sleeping is a dead job...this is a fine poem sir
what a sensitive and perceptive write on the plight of peasants, who have no retirement benefits, unlike the educated clases, with white collared jobs. Sathyaji, you really bring out the stark class disparities so well. moving and thought provoking10 Mamta
I really loved the last line, which aptly and justly sums up the state of our country, especially our ministers & burequcrats! - Raj Nandy
the difference is obvious...it's the day that matters to them n it's a life that matters to us!
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
This is excellent. You certainly seemed to have absorbed American poetry. The language in this is exquisit. The feelings that you draw out in this drip from the page like tears. I love that last line and the ommision of the definate article is a great stroke. I great experience to read Sathya.