Glass-Wall Poem by Asit Kumar Sanyal

I was transferred to Delhi
And searching a flat on rent
Suddenly I met an old friend
From my department
He was too searching a flat
For changing his accommodation
He gave me an address
And said … "go there
You will get it
It's a beautiful flat
I went there for my own
But he didn't give me
You go, he will give you"
I said … "but why? "
He said, "I am a Muslim
That's the reason
You are Hindu
He will give you without hesitation."

Next day I went there
And really I got that flat
The landlord told me
"A man of your age came yesterday
From your department only
I didn't give him this flat
Do you know him? "
I simply said … ‘no'
"He was a nice man
good looking, soft spoken
Agreed to pay what I asked
But when he told his name
I turned back, he was a Muslim
I still feel guilty for my stand
But I had no way ….
There is a glass-wall between us
You are Hindu
There is no problem at all.