Only Speakers Poem by Tajudeen Shah

The stage was all set to welcome
The Business Man of the year!

Ministers, Social Leaders,
Cultural and Religious Dignitaries
All on stage had the same
Smile, Conventional and bleak.

Lights ON, slogans of praises
Echoed, and echoes delivered
Them to the heaving mass!

Opposition was criticized for being unfair,
Merits of the ruling flew profusely,
Traits and credits of the winner
Began to float in the damp air.

The Award winner announced
His plans of investments for the poor
And charitable activities he is into.

Heavy mass inspired by the promises
Applauded as if they have had
Great shares of today and
Most secured futurity assured!

National Anthem caused the crowd
Stand motionless, followed the
'Disperse' announcement.

When the last bamboo pole of the stage
Was untied, I found a female child,
Lying unconscious on her filthy rags
With dry tendrils and half opened eyes!

She was bitten by hunger-snake
Constantly for days, caused her
Liver go pale and pulses weak.

Some sayings of the speakers still
Hung on the toxic puff of fireworks!
Piercing my soul, sipping hot tea
She mumbled 'many a speakers'!