I Won'T Follow You. Poem by Madhav Sarkunde

1

Here, take this scripture
And hold it for me for some time
Those laborers bathed in sweat
Seem to be telling something to me
I must go there first.

2

Hey! You are photographers?
Please, take a snap of tears
In my mother’s eyes –
After her departure
They will tell me the meaning Of compassion.

3

No! I am not happy at all
With the teaching of your school
For with the growth of knowledge
Ignorance is still not going away
And learners are blinkered
Like horses.

4

Tell me the truth!
Did you not spend
Half of your life hating me?
I won’t follow your steps
Because I have to reach
My abode before night falls.