Lateral Thinking Poem by Mandira Mitra

One hour wait in queue
On a stifling hot day
With beggars all over
And red flowers of May
I get a glimpse of the Goddess
She seems light years away
Lost in mantras and incense
Rudely on display.
Prayers forgotten
In the general cry and hue,
“I prayed for our souls be saved”
I lie to my six year old. “And you? ”
“Happiness for EVERYONE! ”
A million stars were in his eyes,
Playing a trick on Almighty.
“And for yourself, didn’t you
Wish for a new Gi-Joe? ”
Wise and proud,
He said, “Well, you see, ”
“When I wish for EVERYONE
That includes me! ”