The Balance Sheet Poem by Girija Menon

This account begins at birth
Credits in abundance to unearth
A clean slate and lovely heart
Child arrives on this earth

Infant he is, pampered by the family
Affection flows freely
Mom and Dad he loves dearly
Comforts are for him in plenty

Infant grows rapidly
School he enters apprehensively
Learns the tricks almost instantly
Little vices picked up innocently

Schooling never seems to end
Years pass in the company of friends
Few good, but some to dread
He passes out – another long road ahead

Smarter now – fears nothing
Enters college confidently
Makes friends abundantly
Popular among the fraternity

A clean and spotless heart no more
He becomes worldly and wants more
Education helps him achieve much more
Barters his credits for opening every door

Credits no more with him
Corrupt he grows from within
Love and affection traded to win
Life’s struggles which are pre-written

A balance sheet to submit for everybody
Credits and debits to tally
An answer for the smallest folly
Bargaining never appreciated amongst this Coterie

Born you are with bagful of credits
Never loose them in your pursuits
Leave them behind on your exit
Amply rewarded you will be at the summit.