Get Out! Poem by Dr.V.K. Kanniappan

To say the words ‘Get Out’ to anybody
whomsoever is extremely rude and brutal!
There is no rudeness in the words as such,
But the way these words are told, too much!

The circumstances, it is heard
by the involved and affected person,
The shock and mental breakdown
these words produce are definitely brutal!

While I was busily preparing to settle and write,
I heard a call, ‘Sir, Sir’ dignified and humble
I was little irritated and came down from upstairs
to see an Anglo Indian poor man with a pathetic smile!

He used to come every now and then,
Wishing me politely ‘Good morning Sir’
Whether I offer money or not, he greets me,
He had a pathetic facial expression!

I used to offer him money sometimes,
Hence he visited me this time also; the voice
made me to think of some unknown person,
I am disappointed by the dignified voice to see him!

I lost my sense and shouted at him,
“You have no business to call me, GET OUT”
And went up the stairs; the feeble voice
I heard with regret and tears, “Pardon me Sir”!

I had the ‘Stair case thought’,
for my behavior towards the poor man,
I felt extremely ashamed for my outburst,
I offered him now, more money with respect!

That is the way of asking him for apology,
Still he blessed me ‘God bless you Sir’ gently!
I realized later that one can say ‘NO’ to somebody,
But not to offend by saying GET OUT to anybody!