Honour Poem by P K Joy

You have honoured me by giving me Padmavibhushan Award
For my outstanding poetry that enhanced your world regard
And the local government named a street after my name
For my distinguished writings which enhanced its fame.
Now, sitting in the narrow foot-path of the street that bears my name
I’m selling cine-magazines to earn my bread, with shame.

The lofty citations of the honours adorn the mud-wall of my hut.
When I return home in the night they’d pity me and hang their heads.
I too often look at them with disdain and ask them to explain their worth
While in the hands of a poor scholar
who earns his food through menial work.