Festival Of Light Poem by Anita Shanti Joseph

We burn fireworks
Yea! Good to drive
The dark demons away
But on our roads lie
People with empty stomachs,
Burning their burnt lives
A glimpse of deep-heated truth
Worries my soul within.
Ghee flows over sweets
Its sticky taste to nick and mix
Watch our calorie intake
I say
As your belly swells with festivity
And your eyes shine on gold
Frantic shopping and gifting
Clothed in silk and fancy-vity
To display wealth and power.
Why ought we to care for the sick and old
Widows and orphans left behind in cold?
Great bonanza and bargains
We shell out our money
So uncouth and gaudy
Ashes flash and waste away.
India’s great national celebration
Cheers to another candle blown
Routine rust and rut!
I roost and join the fray
Without understanding
Quite ashamed to look
The mirror in the face
I am a nut if you ask me
What is it to you? – Diwali
A story of an ancient rich past
Turned to showbiz of wealth
Fanged, hissing snake and sick cows!
Spitting venom, in number of strength
Cracking hearts and breaking man
Losing meaning as ignorance creeps
Backward in time rooted
But rebounding
Hailing the dark ages
Calling names once again!
Twisted poisoned minds
Rogues of History
Does your life shine, brother
Or fizz like a flower pot?
Diwali, a festival of light
While I lay hungry
Shutting ears all night
Blinking in the dark – left out
And singled
Glimpses that worry my soul
The needy and poor works
Firewords in the fire woods
Murk and soil – where is the light?