Mr. Unknown Poem by Debasish Mishra

When someone enquired my name
I politely said a 'No.'
He laughed as if when I came
A name had to follow!


As though it was a free gift
With the packet of breathes I bought
& I just forgot it
which, perhaps, I should have brought...!


How did it matter anyway
Whether I was Akbar or Adam...
It is sure, I can say,
I would have still been a common man...




Paralysed by Gruesome poverty,
Longing for a bread
What change would have it made to me
If a mellifluous name I had....?