Look! Poem by Deepak Manchanda of Delhi

Look
My wise friend said
If you want to stop just living
And get a life
Then get the LOOK.

His bracelets jangled as he spoke
His ruby gold ring glinted brightly in the light

Look
My wise friend said
Do you want to just be there?
Or do you want to be seen?
Then get yourself the LOOK.

He nodded lightly at passers-by as he spoke
His pony tail rustled gently in the breeze

Look
My wise friend said
Do you want to just be Still Life?
Or become a part of Style Life?
Then go get the LOOK.

His trousers were printed a fluorescent green
His jacket was a half-sleeve open front plum red cool

The LOOK?
I asked
Like Western chic?
Or ethnic intellectual?
Maybe just flamboyant fashionista!
Hair – with bounce or without?

What then is the Secret?

Look! Look! Look!
You’re getting this wrong, he said
Here take this
He handed me an envelope
On top of which was written
Look Within

The envelope had nothing within
I am still looking.




©Deepak Manchanda
New Delhi 13.07.2015