Would We Be Civil Enough? Poem by Veeraiyah Subbulakshmi

What a descent people we are!
Standing in the lines, queuing up for turns,
Our gestures are polite and our clothes are clean,
We have the associations to voice our concerns,
As the voice of one or a few is inaudible and ineffective,

What a designer people we are!
We are the products of economic democracy,
Having our basic needs fulfilled for the 'next three months',
We are tolerant, humble and the people of few words,
To say thank you when collect the pay cheques,

What a matured people we are!
Hiding behind the passwords,
Our ‘stories and accounts’ are very visible,
When we are forced to face the crisis of our siblings,
Across the oceans and the land,
Would we be humble enough not to raise the voice?

Would we go for the 'round table' conference,
To sort out the need of deficient brains,
Those are happy with what one possess,
In terms of materials and the gossips,
Or keep quiet and suffer in silence?