Not An Issue Poem by Deepak Manchanda of Delhi

Water, you see is God’s will
Our constituency is thirsty
You can find your own of course

Not an issue, I said.

Bijli, you see is scarce
We must use it first for lighting
For airconditioned luxury
You can make your own

Not an issue, I said.

Roads, you see cannot come
If industry does not provide
To remove the potholes to growth

Not an issue, I said.

Food grains, you see are Bumper
Needed for Nation’s security
To feed your starving neighbor
Is your moral duty

Not an issue, I said.

Health, you see is natural
Population must control itself
Live a lifestyle you can afford

Not an issue, I said.

Education, you see in our tradition
Is ancient and hereditary
But if you prefer modern decadence, you must go abroad

Not an issue, I said.

To see the nation grow, you see
You must give your arm and leg
And of course let us sit on your head.

Not an issue, I said.

At the Global Forum
The Nations asked
What is it that your people want?
For us - you see, was the reply

People are not really an issue!



Deepak Manchanda, New Delhi